Everyone stop what you’re doing because there’s a super important protest going on in New York right now. And it’s not about racism or crime or the homeless issue in Gotham or anything like that. Nope. It’s about Daily Fantasy Sports, it’s about DraftKings and FanDuel and yes, this is real life.
To be clear, Daily Fantasy Sports took a huge hit in New York this week when the Attorney General sent cease-and-desist letters to FanDuel and DraftKings. And yes, it is a noteworthy issue, especially because FanDuel is located in New York and employs hundreds of people.
“Our investigation has found that, unlike traditional fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports companies are engaged in illegal gambling under New York law, causing the same kinds of social and economic harms as other forms of illegal gambling, and misleading New York consumers. Daily fantasy sports is neither victimless nor harmless, and it is clear that DraftKings and FanDuel are the leaders of a massive, multi-billion-dollar scheme intended to evade the law and fleece sports fans across the country. Today we have sent a clear message: not in New York, and not on my watch.”
And that’s what led to this protest, this very, very sad protest.
Jesse Spector of Sporting News is live-tweeting the hilarity.
This is a rally outside the New York Attorney General's office for daily fantasy sports. pic.twitter.com/rT7HsRIewQ
— jesse spector (@jessespector) November 13, 2015
People are now chanting “GAME OF SKILL! GAME KF SKILL!” Mizzou, this ain’t.
— jesse spector (@jessespector) November 13, 2015
A cop says this is less ridiculous than the rally here against Wendy’s for using badly sourced tomatoes.
— jesse spector (@jessespector) November 13, 2015
And yes, Darren Rovell is in attendance because of course he is.
Daily fantasy protest outside NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office this morning pic.twitter.com/G2fnrQFK2D
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 13, 2015
Lots of pride here, obviously.
Every person I've approached either is an employee of one of the sites or doesn't want to be quoted on the record being here.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/seancole22/status/665158595244371968
“Focus on real problems.”
Fantasy sports rally. pic.twitter.com/3r8bfAvK3r
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
And perhaps the most spot-on tweet.
If you go to the city to protest at 8 AM on a Friday to defend daily fantasy sports you made a few poor life choices
— Tug Trash (@Machu_ree) November 12, 2015