Ex-NIU running back sues FanDuel, DraftKings for using name

CHICAGO (AP) Former Northern Illinois University running back Akeem Daniels is suing two daily fantasy sports sites in Chicago federal court alleging they used his name to generate millions of dollars in revenue.

Daniels filed the lawsuit Wednesday against Boston-based DraftKings and New York-based FanDuel, The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reported (http://bit.ly/1ZVf2Dq ). He is seeking class-action status to represent all college players and $5 million in damages, saying the sites' use of student athletes can lead to point-shaving and fixing.

FanDuel said Thursday that it had no comment on the lawsuit. DraftKings didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment sent early Thursday.

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The lawsuit mentions 15 other NIU players who appeared in games on the two sites. Daniels argues that the sites used his names and the names of thousands of other student players to earn money.

The lawsuit says FanDuel and DraftKings put Daniels and others ''in an unwanted state of fear and concern of the risk of being contacted by speculators who have a financial interest'' in their performances. It said the sites have ''immeasurably altered the college football and basketball environment.''

DraftKings and FanDuel took in a combined $3 billion last year and have gone to court in states including New York and Illinois after a growing list of state attorneys general said they consider the sites illegal. In response, the sites have sued, claiming their contests are games of skill allowed by state law.

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