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A former Northern Illinois University football player filed federal lawsuits Thursday against DraftKings and FanDuel, alleging that the two fantasy sports companies have unfairly profited off the names of college football and basketball players.
The lawsuit also states that fantasy sports websites have "immeasurably altered the college football and basketball environment" and left athletes in a state of "fear and concern of the risk of being contacted by speculators who have a financial interest" in their performances and who may pressure athletes into cheating.
"In addition to the reasonable concern that speculators may urge that [football and basketball players] adjust their performance in response to the speculators' stated desires," the lawsuit argues, "Defendant's unlawful business model puts [athletes] at unwanted risk of contact with speculators whose interests align with corruption in the form of fixed outcomes and point-shaving."
The former football player, Akeem Daniels, is seeking $5 million in damages from each company, as well as a ban on the companies using the names of college athletes.
