On June 22, 2016 the next step in an extended and contentious legal battle between the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and Draft Ops fantasy sports was filed in a Minnesota federal court. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Wild filed a Response in Opposition to Draft Op’s Motion to Dismiss, asking a federal judge not to dismiss their complaint. Previously, Emil Interactive Games, which operates Draft Ops fantasy sports, asked the court to dismiss the Minnesota Wild’s breach of contract claims over a sponsorship agreement because daily fantasy sports betting was found to be illegal in the state of Minnesota.
In response, the Wild contend that in the sponsorship contract between the parties there existed a clause that Draft Ops could have exercised if betting on games were found illegal in the state, but they refused to exercise the provision. Additionally, when the clause was implemented and the agreement signed daily fantasy sports was deemed to be legal in Minnesota. Finally, the Wild argue that Emil Interactive Games is using this case to rule on whether daily fantasy sports is legal in the state which would be procedurally improper.
Adding to the serious strife that has existed in this case, attorneys for the Minnesota Wild made it clear they felt Emil Interactive Games’ motions were advanced in bad faith and will be aggressively seeking sanctions.