NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a '12 court deposition stressed that any league association with gambling "would damage fans' perception of the NFL, while downplaying the significance of the league's playing games in London (where sports betting is legal) and its relationship to fantasy sports," according to David Purdum of ESPN.com. Goodell's testimony came "in a case over whether to legalize some sports betting in New Jersey." NFL Senior Labor Litigation Counsel Lawrence Ferazani in the same case "went a step further." He said, "The NFL is in a revenue-generating business. If the NFL believes that sports gambling would allow it to increase its revenue, the NFL would engage in that activity. Based upon our studies and analysis, we know that (sports betting) will negatively impact our long-term relationship with our fans, negatively impact the perception of our sport across the country." Goodell said at the time, "We don't look at fantasy sports as gambling." He added that he "was not concerned about fantasy football leading to a game being compromised." Goodell: "Fantasy football's not based on the outcome of a game. It's based on the performance of individuals that they select." Purdum noted the NFL itself "has no sponsorship deals or investment in daily fantasy companies," but 28 of the 32 NFL franchises "are aligned with daily fantasy operators" (ESPN.com, 9/23).
