US sports network ESPN, has lifted its temporary suspension of DraftKings advertising throughout its channels, as all major US sports networks continue to promote fantasy sports services.
This weekend the sports network resumed advertising coverage of DraftKings services, despite the operator’s ongoing employee data conflict allegations.
ESPN a key partner for DraftKings, had publically announced that it had taken a temporary break to its agreed $250 million exclusive ad-spend partnership with the fantasy operator.
The return of DraftKings advertising coverage on ESPN, follows the news that NFL Chief Commissioner Roger Goodell did not believe there was a direct conflict between fantasy sports operators and his organisation.
“It’s hard to see the influence that it could have on the outcome of a game because individual players are picking different players from different teams, mashing them up, you might call it. It’s not based on the outcome of a game, which is what our biggest concern is with sports betting.”
Goodell further stated that at present the NFL had no issue with daily fantasy sports operators, and that the ongoing data conflict allegations should not impede the promotion of fantasy sports products by NFL franchises.
Goodell stance has been criticised by sports betting campaigners of being led by self-interest, as leading US fantasy sports operators FanDuel and DraftKings have struck partnership deals with 28 of 32 NFL Franchises in 2015.