The National Football League’s move to cancel a popular fantasy football convention because it was slated to take place at a casino is sparking criticism, from Capitol Hill to Las Vegas.
The National Fantasy Football Convention, organized by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, was an opportunity for fans to connect with star players like Romo, Dez Bryant, and Rob Gronkowski, but the NFL shut it down earlier this week because it was being hosted at a convention center owned by a casino.
The NFL prohibits players from participating in promotional activities at casinos.
The American Gaming Association criticized the NFL on Wednesday for an “outdated view of gaming.”
“It is only a matter of time before such thinking in organizations like the NFL evolves and acknowledges the reality that gaming, like professional sports, is a form of mainstream entertainment,” the group wrote.
The top Democrat in the Senate, Harry Reid (D-N.V.), also weighed in this week, lashing out against the NFL.
“It is a sad state of affairs for the NFL that they care more about canceling a fantasy football convention than a racist franchise name,” said Reid, who is a vocal critic of the Washington Redskins’ name.
Reid questioned whether the NFL cares “more about their profits or their fans?”
“As the top trade show destination for more than two decades, there is no better place than Las Vegas for the inaugural fantasy football convention,” he said. “Forcing an event to be cancelled a few weeks in advance is unprofessional and unfair to the thousands of workers who rely on the business for their livelihood.”