NFL Player Pierre Garçon Files Lawsuit Against FanDuel

Washington Redskins player Pierre Garçon files lawsuit against FanDuel, a daily fantasy sports (DFS) website, for using his name and likeness without his consent.

Garçon filed the class-action lawsuit against FanDuel at the federal court in Maryland last Friday. The Washington Redskins wide receiver is accusing the DFS operator of making an enormous profit from using his name and likeness with his authorization on its website and in a number of television adverts.

In response to the legal controversy, FanDuel issued a statement that said Garçon’s lawsuit against FanDuel is “without merit” and that current US gambling laws allow DFS operators to use the names, likenesses, and details of athletes without having to first request permission to do so.

Says FanDuel: “There is established law that fantasy operators may use player names and statistics for fantasy contests. FanDuel looks forward to continuing to operate our contests which sports fans everywhere have come to love.”

Garçon files lawsuit against FanDuel on behalf of other NFL players

In opposition to FanDuel’s position on this gambling news in the US, Garçon argues that because the use of NFL player names and likenesses and their general popularity increases revenue for the DFS operator, that he and other players should receive compensation for their use. While it is Garçon himself that is personally filing a lawsuit against FanDuel, he says he is doing so on behalf of other NFL players as well.

“I am bringing this lawsuit against FanDuel for using my name, image, and likeness in both daily fantasy contests and through advertising on TV ads and infomercials. FanDuel has taken the liberty to engage in these actions without my consent and without proper licensing rights. As a result of these activities, FanDuel daily fantasy contests have shown increasing revenues leading to large profits. Therefore, on behalf of myself as well as any other players who are being treated unjustly, I chose to file a complaint,” explained Garçon in a statement.