Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had planned to present the first National Fantasy Football Convention in July. Key words: had planned.
Via Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, the event has been postponed until 2016 not because of its subject matter but because of its planned location — the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.
“Players and NFL personnel may not participate in promotional activities or other appearances at or in connection with events that are held at or sponsored by casinos,” an NFL spokesman told FOX Sports.
Romo organized the event, and various active players were slated to appear, including Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, Eagles running back DeMarco Murray, and Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.
The event has now been set for Los Angeles, in 2016.
Apart from the irony inherent to the NFL banning events held at or sponsored by casinos despite the extra attention and revenue gambling brings to the game, the league’s blatant embrace of fantasy football — which legally isn’t gambling but as a practical matter is — makes it hypocritical to slam the door on player-organized fantasy football activities on premises owned by a traditional gambling establishment, even if no gambling will occur where the convention is being held.
The league’s position likely also applies to the Fantasy Sports Combine, set for July 17-19 at the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore and touted as featuring appearances from Jets receiver Brandon Marshall, Broncos linebacker Von Miller, and other active players.