Romo-linked fantasy convention suing NFL for harrassment

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) celebrates a last minute touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten (82) to win against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. Cowboys won 27-26. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade) less Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) celebrates a last minute touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten (82) to win against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. ... more Photo: Brandon Wade, =213019000118t= / Associated Press Photo: Brandon Wade, =213019000118t= / Associated Press Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Romo-linked fantasy convention suing NFL for harrassment 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

Attorneys for a fantasy sports convention partially owned by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is suing the NFL alleging the league is "harassing" sponsors of a convention last summer in Las Vegas.

The Sports Business Daily reports that court papers were filed today in conjunction with a case that happened last summer when the league objected to its players and personnel participating in a fantasy sports convention that Romo was scheduled to attend.

The allegations effectively killed the convention, which now is planned July 15-17 in Pasadena, Calif.

Among the players besides Romo who planned to attend the convention included Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, Jamaal Charles, DeMarco Murray and Eddie Lacy, as well as dozens of former players and media personalities.

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It would have been an opportunity for players to engage with fans, many of whom had already booked travel to attend the event before the NFL effectively shut it down.

In its court findings, Fan Expo alleges that the NFL has subpoenaed 13 of its convention sponsors seeking any and all information about their role in the scuttled 2015 convention.

Fan Expo's attorneys wrote a strongly worded briefing seeking relief.

"In April 2016, when the Fan Expo published its list of sponsors for the 2016 event, the NFL immediately began harassing The Fan Expo’s clients and sponsors," the briefing reads. "The NFL believes that it does not have to follow anyone’s rules, including those of the Texas Legislature.

"To harass Plaintiff’s sponsors, the NFL bypassed the legislature’s 10-day notice requirement and sent the subpoenas to the … sponsors without providing anyone a 10-day notice – a flagrant violation of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure."

Romo appears to have the public behind him in this case. Public opinion wonders why the NFL can forbid its players in participating in fantasy contests and conventions and then have its own contracts with companies that participate in staging fantasy sports games.

The NFL's move continues its inconsistent policies toward gambling. The league allows its teams to sell sponsorships to casinos. FanDuel, a daily fantasy game site, recently signed marketing partnerships with 15 NFL teams.

There are NFL games played in London, where betting on the games is legal. The Oakland Raiders are seriously considering a move to Las Vegas, where virtually all forms of gambling is legal.

What's the difference in what Romo's group was doing?

The NFL wouldn't make any money on Romo's convention.

Tgriffin@express-news.net

Twitter: @TimGriffinBig12