On Wednesday, June 29, 2016, a Texas state judge threw out all claims in a case brought by Fan Expo LLC against the National Football League. Fan Expo, a company affiliated with star quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys, alleged the NFL interfered with their planned fantasy football convention in Las Vegas by enforcing its anti-gambling policy and urging players to stay away from the event.
Specifically, Fan Expo claimed the NFL used its anti-gambling policy as a smokescreen to cover their desire to prevent sponsorship and fan interest in the convention. The NFL argued it was perfectly legal to caution their players from attending the convention under the league policy prohibiting players from participating in events at gambling-related locations.
In March, Romo’s claim that the NFL was selectively applying its gambling policy was separately dismissed. His claim had centered around New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s party cruise in the Bahamas this past February, which took place on a cruise line featuring “Casinos at Sea.”
The claims dismissed on Wednesday were for alleged business disparagement, fraud, breach of contract, promissory estoppel, negligence, and negligent misrepresentation on the part of the NFL.