One of the wackier stories in the short history of legalized sports betting has gotten weirder.
Michael Hermalyn, the former Massachusetts.
In it, Hermalyn vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
“I have been falsely accused of hatch[ing] a secret plan over the past year to steal and use confidential information, solicit customers and employees, and a key competitor, Fanatics. I did no such thing,” Hermalyn wrote by way of introduction, calling DraftKings’ version of events “entirely fabricated.”
The original lawsuit, filed by DraftKings last week, asserts that Hermalyn initiated his plan approximately a year ago when he met with Fanatics’ CEO Michael Rubin to discuss potential job opportunities. According to the lawsuit, the culmination of these events occurred this week when Hermalyn allegedly fabricated the death of a friend in Super Bowl while at Fanatics’ offices.
DraftKings argues that without immediate injunctive relief preventing Hermalyn from violating his agreements with DraftKings, he could potentially initiate an assault on DraftKings’ business, diverting its most valuable customers right before one of its most crucial weekends.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Hermalyn has claimed New Jersey, where his wife is employed and his children attend school.
Claims he retained nothing 4a271h
Hermalyn tackled each of the allegations head on in his declaration.
“I had specifically done everything I could to make sure they could not — truthfully — claim I engaged in some unlawful conduct, and I worked closely with counsel to do my level best to ensure that I retained no DraftKings information or property,” he wrote. “Also, pending authorization from a court, I have also been very careful to avoid soliciting a single client or former colleague.”
Hermalyn added that his talks with Fanatics started this past January, not a year ago, as the suit alleges.
He also said that after accepting the job with Fanatics — and after consultation with his wife — he leased an apartment in California, where he plans to live and work, and his family will be ing him after the school year ends.
He also claims the first time he ever visited Fanatics’ Los Angeles offices were this past Tuesday.
Friend’s death 451yf
Hermalyn also addressed the idea that he made up the death of a friend.
In fact, a longtime friend of his, Ben Jankowski, died after a long battle with cancer on Jan. 27, Hermalyn wrote.
“DraftKings’ accusation that I falsely claimed to be mourning the death of my friend in late January is both wrong and disappointing,” he wrote.
As for stealing information from DraftKings, Hermalyn wholeheartedly denies it, claiming he turned in all DraftKings-related devices, ceded access to his emails, and returned corporate credit cards.
“Contrary to DraftKings’ unsubstantiated fears and allegations, I did not give Fanatics or any of its s, including Fanatics VIP, the opportunity to access, view, copy, or otherwise record DraftKings’ information,” he wrote.
