Pirate Galaxy » stumbled into the Sugar Bowl beats the Big 1

DraftKings and FanDuel, the two largest daily fantasy sports operators, have agreed to merge, the companies announced Friday.The merger, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second half of 2017. Until then, both sites will continue to operate under their respective brand names.Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but sources close to the negotiations told ESPN that it is basically a 50/50 split between the fantasy giants. Each company will have three seats on the board, with one independent director. At closing, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins will be the CEO of the new company, while FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles will become the chairman of the board.The name of the joint company has not been revealed. It will have headquarters in New York and Boston.We have always been passionate about providing the best possible experience for our customers and this merger will help advance our goal of building a transformational global sports entertainment platform, Robins said in the release announcing the agreement. Joining forces will allow us to truly realize the potential of our vision, and as a combined company we will be able to accelerate the pace of innovation and bring a richer experience to our customers than we ever could have done separately.Being able to combine DraftKings and FanDuel, added Eccles, presents a tremendous opportunity for us to further innovate and disrupt the sports industry. While both companies have accomplished much already, this transaction will create a business that can offer a greater variety of offerings, appealing to new users, including the tens of millions of season-long fantasy players that havent yet tried our products.The merger is expected to draw scrutiny, potentially from the Federal Trade Commission. FanDuel and DraftKings make up more than 80 percent of the daily fantasy marketplace, but they are looking to pool their resources to grow their customer base by tapping into the much larger season-long market, a source privy to the companies strategy told ESPN. An estimated 40 million North Americans play only season-long fantasy sports, eight times more than the number of those who play daily fantasy.The benefit of the merger to the consumer, an important test for regulators, will be increased overall competition in the marketplace, the source said. The source added that DraftKings and FanDuel will work together in a streamlined fashion to conquer regulatory hurdles, which have hampered both businesses. They believe it could further open the fantasy market to entrepreneurship.Some smaller fantasy operators also view the merger as an opportunity.Prior to the tumult of the past year, FanDuel and DraftKings were well on their way to becoming multibillion-dollar pillar business[es] in sports, said Jeremy Levine, founder and CEO of DRAFT, a competing fantasy site. There still will be massive business built in this space, but it wont be FanDuel or DraftKings individually. Due to the merger, the opportunity is now there for the few companies that were able to survive and strengthen in the past year.In the meantime, with legal fees and regulatory costs mounting, the merger between DraftKings and FanDuel was seen as a necessity by some investors. Multiple high-volume players told ESPN they stopped playing because of the increasing rake, the commission fee charged by the sites. Overall play on both sites was described as soft by players.DraftKings and FanDuel each have approximately 320 employees.FanDuel was launched in July 2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and rose to the top of the industry with an innovative, condensed version of traditional season-long fantasy sports. DraftKings came along three years later and quickly took aim at FanDuel, creating, at times, a hostile rivalry between the two leading operators and their CEOs.Both companies attracted large investments from media conglomerates and venture capitalists. They formed partnerships with professional sports leagues. The NBA has equity in FanDuel; Major League Baseball and the NHL are partners with DraftKings, along with 28 of the 32 NFL franchises.At their peak, the companies were each valued at more than $1 billion. But things changed in the fall of 2015.Heading into last football season, the sites unleashed massive marketing blitzes, flooding the airwaves with commercials touting million-dollar prizes. The two companies spent an estimated $750 million combined on ads, marketing and related expenses in 2015.The relentless advertising attracted a bevy of new users but also the attention of lawmakers and regulators.The scrutiny intensified after a DraftKings employee won $350,000 playing in an NFL contest on FanDuel. There were accusations the employee used inside information. An investigation by DraftKings found the employee did not use internal information that potentially could have given him an unfair advantage in submitting his winning lineup, but the damage had been done, and a firestorm of controversy ensued.In November 2015, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent cease-and-desist letters to DraftKings and FanDuel, eventually forcing the companies out of one of their most important states for several months. Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Mississippi and Texas joined New York in ruling daily fantasy violated state gambling laws.FanDuel stopped operating paid contests in Texas, but DraftKings filed suit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and continues to offer games in the state. Paxtons office said it would assess the impact of the merger on the pending litigation.Both sites are still involved in litigation against Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and also are contending with a consolidated class-action suit. They recently settled with Schneiderman over false advertising claims, agreeing to each pay $6 million. The settlement with Schneiderman, sources said, was one of the last hurdles before the merger could be completed.Nine states have passed legislation clarifying the legality of fantasy sports in the past two years. With the new laws came increased regulatory costs in the form of licensing fees and taxes. Theyve taken a toll on the companies finances and, along with legal costs, ultimately forced the merger, sources said.The New York Times reported both sites were having trouble meeting their day-to-day financial obligations, and multiple sources told ESPN that DraftKings and FanDuel were months behind on paying vendors and lobbyists. The merger, upon approval, would allow the companies to split legal fees and regulatory costs. Without it, some questioned whether they would survive.Up until recently, it seemed unlikely Eccles and Robins would be able to work together. They were known rivals and had different views on which direction to take the industry. DraftKings, for example, offers contests on golf and NASCAR, while FanDuel avoided those sports over legal concerns.They were the Jets and the Sharks, said Al Zeidenfeld, a high-level daily fantasy player and contributor to ESPN. You think the Jets and the Sharks would form one super neighborhood gang? No.Both platforms will remain separate and operational through the 2017 NFL season, while the deal is completed, the sites said.ESPN senior writers Don Van Natta and Darren Rovell contributed to this story. Sac à Dos Kanken Soldes . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Kanken Mini Soldes . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. http://www.sackankenpascher.fr/ . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Sac à Dos Fjallraven Soldes . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Sac à Dos Kanken Pas Cher . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Doing its best to challenge the premise that there can never be enough college football, the bowl system gives fans 40 FBS games from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2 that include 17 teams with 6-6 records and two more that went 5-7.Too much, you say.Nonsense.Every game is special in its own way and for the third straight year we are here with a reason to watch each and every one. And to pick the winners, which may also provide a reason to watch. Strictly for entertainment purposes, of course.SATURDAY, DEC. 17New Mexico Bowl in AlbuquerqueUTSA (plus 6 +) vs. New Mexico, 2 p.m. (ESPN)You cant watch them all if you miss the first one. Duh. ... NEW MEXICO 31-20.Las Vegas BowlSan Diego State (plus 4) vs. Houston, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)Aztecs star Donnel Pumphrey, all 5-foot-9, 180 pounds of him, can break the FBS career rushing record held by Wisconsins Ron Dayne (6,397) with 108 yards in his last college game -- and do it in his hometown ... HOUSTON 28-17.Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, AlabamaToledo (minus 2 +) vs. Appalachian State, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)Rockets RB Kareem Hunt is going to run for 1,000 yards for an NFL team at some point in the near future and you will look like a genius when you have him on your fantasy team ... TOLEDO 27-24.Cure Bowl in Orlando, FloridaUCF (minus 6 +) vs. Arkansas State, 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)Disney World is in Orlando, so there is at least a chance for a Disney character appearance. Might not be a big enough game for Mickey. Feels more like a Goofy assignment. ... ARKANSAS STATE 24-17.New Orleans BowlSouthern Miss (minus 4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 9 p.m. (ESPN)The Ragin Cajuns had gone to -- and won -- four straight New Orleans Bowls before missing last years. And it just was not the same without them ... LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 30-24.---MONDAY, DEC. 19Miami Beach BowlTulsa (minus 11 +) vs. Central Michigan, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)The Chippewas have pulled off two of the craziest last-play of the game touchdowns in recent years, first at the Bamahas Bowl two years ago and then to beat Oklahoma State this season. Never count them out ... TULSA 42-28.---TUESDAY, DEC. 20Boca Raton (Florida) BowlMemphis (plus 5) vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m. (ESPN)See the American Athletic Conferences next rising-star coach: 35-year-old Mike Norvell of Memphis ... WESTERN KENTUCKY 48-45.---WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21Poinsettia Bowl in San DiegoBYU (minus 9) vs. Wyoming, 9 p.m. (ESPN)Old WAC rivals playing in San Diego, so the ingredients are here for some old-school Holiday Bowl madness ... BYU 27-23.---THURSDAY, DEC. 22Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in BoiseIdaho (plus 13 +) vs. Colorado State, 7 p.m. (ESPN)The other Coach Petrino had a pretty good season, too. Paul Petrino, brother of Bobby, led the Vandals to a bowl for the first time since 2009 ... COLORADO STATE 38-21.---FRIDAY, DEC. 23Bahamas Bowl in NassauEastern Michigan (plus 4) vs. Old Dominion, 1 p.m. (ESPN)The Eagles have only one bowl appearance in program history and it came almost 30 years ago. And now theyre going to the Bahamas. Happiest. Team. Ever. ... OLD DOMINION 34-28.Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, TexasNavy (plus 3 +) vs. Louisiana Tech, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)Potential to be one of the most entertaining bowls if Navys triple-option can get rolling again without injured QB Will Worth ... LA TECH 35-28.Dollar General Bowl in Mobile, AlabamaOhio (plus 4) vs. Troy, 8 p.m. (ESPN)Ohios 72-year-old Frank Solich tries to beat a coach half his age -- 36-year-old Neal Brown of Troy ... OHIO 27-26.---SATURDAY, DEC. 24Hawaii Bowl in HonoluluMiddle Tennessee (off) vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m. (ESPN)Jeopardy: This Ole Miss transfer is averaging more yards from scrimmage than Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook and Donnel Pumphrey. Who is ITavius Mathers of MTSU? ... MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE 38-28.---MONDAY, DEC. 26St. Petersburg (Florida) BowlMississippi State (minus 13) vs. Miami University, 11 a.m. (ESPN)The RedHawks started the season 0-6 and could end it on a seven-game winning streak. Playing an SEC team is not ideal, but, hey, who thought they would have gotten this far? ... MISSISSIPPI STATE 45-21, BEST BET.Quick Lane Bowl in DetroitBoston College (plus 1) vs. Maryland, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)Two 6-6 teams with zero combined victories against winning FBS opponents. Well, its better than waiting in line to return those ugly sweaters you got for Christmas ... MARYLAND 16-12.Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LouisianaNC State (minus 4 +) vs. Vanderbilt, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)Watch or Commodores All-America LB Zach Cunningham will tackle you. Actually, even if you do watch he might tackle you. He pretty much tackles everyone ... VANDERBILT 24-21.---TUESDAY, DEC. 27Heart of Dallas BowlArmy (minus 10 +) vs. North Texas, Noon (ESPN)You recorded the regular-season meeting between the Black Knights and Mean Green, but your 6-year-old erased it from the DVR to record a Doc McStuffins marathon before you could watch it. Lucky you. Theyre playing again ... ARMY 24-17.Military Bowl in Annapolis, MarylandWake Forest (plus 13) vs. Temple, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)DB-turned-DE Hassan Reddick of Temple leads the nation in tackles for loss (21.5). Wake has the second-worst offense of any bowl team. Watch to see Reddicks draft stock improve ... TEMPLE 24-14.Holiday Bowl in San DiegoMinnesota (plus 7) vs. Washington State, 7 p.m. (ESPN)The Golden Gophers threw eight TD passes this season. Cougars QB Luke Falk has thrown at least half that many in a gaame 12 times in his career .dddddddddddd.. WASHINGTON STATE 34-21.Cactus Bowl in PhoenixBoise State (minus 7) vs. Baylor, 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)The Bears try to avoid a seven-game losing streak in a game that will essentially bring the Art Briles era to a close ... BOISE STATE 42-31.---WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28Pinstripe Bowl in New YorkNorthwestern (plus 5 +) vs. Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. (ESPN)Pitt star and cancer survivor James Conner plays his last college game in Yankee Stadium. Pretty cool. ... PITT 38-31.Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, FloridaMiami (minus 3) vs. West Virginia, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)The Hurricanes are involved so one day this game could be the subject of an ESPN 30-for-30 ... WEST VIRGINIA 28-24.Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, CaliforniaIndiana (plus 7 +) vs. Utah, 8:30 p.m. (FOX)The first game as Indiana head coach for former defensive coordinator Tom Allen ... UTAH 24-20.Texas Bowl in HoustonKansas State (plus 2) vs. Texas A&M, 9 p.m. (ESPN)Get a preview of a Kansas State team that will be a trendy dark horse pick to win the Big 12 next season ... KANSAS STATE 28-23.---THURSDAY, DEC. 29Birmingham (Alabama) BowlSouth Florida (minus 10 +) vs. South Carolina, 2 p.m. (ESPN)Like watching Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson play? Then you will enjoy USF QB Quinton Flowers ... USF 38-31.Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North CarolinaVirginia Tech (minus 7) vs. Arkansas, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)If the game gets boring follow (at)belkbowl, the most entertaining bowl on Twitter ... VIRGINIA TECH 28-23.Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, TexasOklahoma State (plus 3 +) vs. Colorado, 9 p.m. (ESPN)Is this the end of Mike Gundys mullet? Or the first step toward a Bon Jovi cover band for the Cowboys coach? ... COLORADO 34-27.---FRIDAY, DEC. 30Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TennesseeGeorgia (pickem) vs. TCU, Noon (ESPN)The Bulldogs (7-5) try to avoid their worst season since 2010, coincidentally the last time they went to the Liberty Bowl -- which they lost to finish 6-7 ... GEORGIA 24-20.Sun Bowl in El Paso, TexasNorth Carolina (plus 4) vs. Stanford, 2 p.m. (CBS)Christian McCaffreys last game at Stanford and you wont have to stay up late to watch it ... STANFORD 28-27.Music City Bowl in Nashville, TennesseeTennessee (minus 3) vs. Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)Two fanbases that seem to be in a constant state of existential crisis. And one of them will end what looked not long ago like a promising season with a two-game losing streak ... TENNESSEE 35-28.Arizona Bowl in TucsonAir Force (minus 13) vs. South Alabama, 5:30 p.m. (ASN)Air Force DB Weston Steelhammer is exactly the type of player you would expect a guy named Weston Steelhammer who plays for Air Force to be ... AIR FORCE 35-14.Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, FloridaFlorida State (plus 7) vs. Michigan, 8 p.m. (ESPN)It is not a playoff game, but it feels a lot like one ... MICHIGAN 28-20.---SATURDAY, DEC. 31Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FloridaLSU (minus 3 +) vs. Louisville, 11 a.m. (ABC)Lamar Jackson against one of the most talented and athletic defenses in the country is whats for breakfast ... LSU 28-21.TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, FloridaKentucky (plus 5) vs. Georgia Tech, 11 a.m. (ESPN)This seasons bowl most likely to be confused for pre-season NIT basketball in the TV listings ... KENTUCKY 31-24.COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFSemifinalsPeach Bowl in AtlantaAlabama (minus 15 +) vs. Washington, 3 p.m. (ESPN)You are running out of chances to see Nick Saban yell at Lane Kiffin ... ALABAMA 37-14.Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, ArizonaClemson (plus 3 +) vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m. (ESPN)Tigers-Buckeyes crowded bar with $100 cover charge ... CLEMSON 29-26.---MONDAY, JAN. 2Outback Bowl in Tampa, FloridaFlorida (minus 2 +) vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. (ABC)If the New Years Eve party turned into a New Years Day party, the expected Gators-Hawkeyes punt-fest should help you nap off that hangover ... FLORIDA 21-14.Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TexasWestern Michigan (plus 7) vs. Wisconsin, 1 p.m. (ESPN)So Western Michigan is known as the Broncos and their slogan is Row the Boat? This will all make sense after you see coach P.J. Fleck give his pregame speech ... WISCONSIN 28-23Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CaliforniaPenn State (plus 6 +) vs. Southern California, 5 p.m. (ESPN)Every season there is a bowl that is almost certain to send the winner into the following season with an exorbitant amount of hype. This is that bowl ... PENN STATE 31-27.Sugar Bowl in New OrleansOklahoma (minus 4) vs. Auburn, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)There was a lot of talk about this being a down year for the SEC. You will be able to hear those S-E-C! chants all the back in Norman if an 8-4 team that stumbled into the Sugar Bowl beats the Big 12 champion ... AUBURN 34-27.---MONDAY, JAN. 9COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFChampionship in Tampa, FloridaAlabama vs. Clemson, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)The Crimson Tide could become the first FBS team to go 15-0 and stake a claim as the greatest team in college football history ... ALABAMA 38-23.----Record: Last week 9-1 straight; 6-4 vs. points.Season: 201-86; 126-155-3.Upset specials: 4-9.Best bets: 4-9.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida, as being owned and operated by ESPN. ' ' '