Pierre Garcon sues FanDuel for using his name and likeness for profit

Washington Redskins' Pierre Garçon sued the daily fantasy sports site FanDuel on Friday, alleging that the company "knowingly and improperly exploits" his name and performance for profit.

The wide receiver filed the class-action lawsuit against the billion-dollar fantasy sports site on behalf of all NFL players in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, charging that the site is improperly using the names and likenesses of NFL players for its own gain and not compensating the players.

"FanDuel routinely uses the names and likenesses of some of these NFL players without authorization to promote FanDuel's commercial enterprise, collecting huge revenues and entry fees," the release argues.

"FanDuel has taken the liberty to engage in these actions without my consent and without proper licensing rights," Garçon said in an accompanying statement. "As a result of these activities, FanDuel daily fantasy contests have shown increasing revenues leading to large profits. Therefore, on behalf of myself as well as any other players who are being treated unjustly, I chose to file a complaint."

In September, the NFL Players Association signed a licensing agreement with DraftKings, the largest daily fantasy site and FanDuel's chief rival in the industry. The agreement allows DraftKings to use NFL players in its marketing and promotional campaigns. 

This seems to be quite an audible for Garcon, who promoted FanDuel heavily on social media last year.

"Don’t forget! Enter my week 3 FANTASY league on Fanduel. $40K in prizes and a pair of free TIX to one entrant," he tweeted in September of 2014.

Don’t forget! Enter my week 3 FANTASY league on Fanduel. $40K in prizes and a pair of free TIX to one entrant. http://t.co/EqUNkAuIUD

— Pierre Garçon (@PierreGarcon) September 19, 2014

Garcon has played the last four years in Washington after starting his career with the Indianapolis Colts. The 29-year-old speedster had his best season in 2013, with 113 receptions for 1,346 yards.

He has a Bye Week.

Fantasy football becomes point of contention at GOP debate

The dog-and-pony show disguised as a GOP debate in Boulder, Colorado Wednesday night turned into a full-fledged joke after the CNBC moderators' line of questioning turned to that all important issue on everybody's mind — fantasy football.

Claims of media bias were already a major theme of the night, with Ted Cruz launching the night's first volley against the blatantly slanted moderators Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood — accusing them all of being Democrats intent on damaging the GOP field. 

That was even before an incredulous New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie laid into the trio for asking a question about whether the federal government should regulate pay-for-play fantasy football competitions online.

"Wait a second," the Jersey guy fired back at the moderators. "We have $19 trillion in debt, people out of work, ISIS and al Qaeda attacking us – and we're talking about fantasy football? 

"How about we get the government to do what they’re supposed to be doing?" an agitated Christie shouted. "Enough on fantasy football. Let people play! Who cares?" 

We have ISIS attacking us & we're here talking about Fantasy Football? #CNBCGOPDebate https://t.co/v1pKSXovgc

— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) October 29, 2015

Yes, fantasy sports is popular and the industry's two biggest startups, DraftKings and FanDuel, are facing allegations that improper use of data gave employees an unfair advantage when playing on competing sites. A controversy which has given rise to questions over whether the billion dollar business of fantasy sports should be considered illegal gambling.

But was it relevant at the debate? At least Jeb Bush thought so.

Bush said the burgeoning daily fantasy industry needs to face "some regulation" before Christie went off on the CNBC trio.

"This is something that needs to be looked into," Bush said. "When you have insider information which apparently has been the case... there has to be some regulation."

And it gave ol' Jeb a chance to tout his undefeated fantasy football team.

Jeb Bush broke the No. 1 rule of fantasy sports: absolutely NO ONE cares about your team. https://t.co/RZ3nRfUkXo https://t.co/0h0OEnn0VP

— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 29, 2015

Hey Jeb, nobody likes a braggart. Just ask Donald Trump.