New documentary takes aim at daily fantasy, sport betting
Documentary filmmaker Evan Rosenfeld first delved into the topic of sports betting and daily fantasy a year ago amid an advertising blitz by DraftKings and FanDuel.
“These two corporation were run very differently and they were really going after each other,” said Rosenfeld, the executive producer of Vice World of Sports. “Now, they are fighting for their existence. Maybe the only way they are going to survive is if they join forces. The battle is real.”
DraftKings and FanDuel have discussed a merger, Bloomberg reported last week. FanDuel and DraftKings declined comment on the report that the two biggest daily fantasy sites could combine amid mounting legal and legislative costs.
Rosenfeld’s documentary, The Line, debuted last week on Viceland, a channel that launched in February. It can also be viewed online with a cable or satellite subscription.
The landscape for daily fantasy sports has changed greatly over the last several months. Attorneys general in several states have issued opinions that daily fantasy violates betting laws in their respective states, leading FanDuel and DraftKings to halt paid games in those jurisdictions.
That list includes New York, where attorney general Eric Schneiderman sued both sites last year. A deal was worked out that put the legal proceedings on hold pending legislation that would clear way for daily fantasy in the state. A bill was approved by the legislature last week and awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature.
The Line began as an exploration of sports betting, but the explosion of daily fantasy sports shifted the focus of the documentary.
“Daily fantasy kind of tabled the discussion on the legalization of traditional sports betting,” Rosenfeld said.
The 30-minute documentary closes with a look into those living of their daily fantasy proceeds.
“I learned that this can be more than just a hobby,” Rosenfeld said. “This has turned into a career for many and they approach it like it’s the stock market. These aren’t shady or seedy guys. A lot of them are lawyers and other professionals.”