Sen. Harry Reid blasts cancellation of Romo fantasy football convention

Nevada senator Harry Reid issued a stern statement Tuesday condemning the NFL for cancelling what was to be its first annual Fantasy Football Convention at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was to head up the convention on July 10 before the league contacted the NFL Players Association to express concern over the event's location, according to a Dallas Morning News report. 

The NFL's concerns over the event's location eventually led to the event's cancelation, according to a Fox Sports report. 

The expo and convention center is located inside the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. NFL players are not permitted to appear in "promotional activities or other appearances in connection with events that are held at or sponsored by casinos," according to the report.

Reid took the opportunity to bring up the Washington Redskins' nickname, which he called racist, and argued commissioner Roger Goodell handled the situation poorly.

"It is a sad state of affairs for the NFL that they care more about cancelling a fantasy football convention than a racist franchise name," Reid said.

Romo expressed disappointment in the NFL's decision to cancel the event. 

Reid is a noted proponent of the gaming industry in his home state and in 2012 promised a bill to legalize Internet poker. 

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