Former NIU RB sues FanDuel, DraftKings over use of his likeness

Former Northern Illinois University running back Akeem Daniels filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings and FanDuel on Wednesday seeking $5 million in damages.

In the suit, Daniels claims the daily fantasy site used his name to generate millions of dollars in revenue. He also said the daily fantasy sites opened himself and several other players up to allegations of point-shaving and fixing, and created “an unwanted state of fear and concern of the risk of being contacted by speculators who have a financial interest.”

“[FanDuel’s] unlawful business model puts [Daniels and others] at unwanted risk of contact with speculators whose interests align with ‘corruption in the form of fixed outcomes and point-shaving,’” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit mentions 15 other Northern Illinois players who were named in the daily fantasy games.

The lawsuit is similar to the one Ed O’Bannon brought against the NCAA that claimed the collegiate sports entity was profiting off the names and likenesses of collegiate athletes. However, this is the first suit brought against daily fantasy sites with a similar claim.

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