Sports betting firm DraftKings apologized Monday for exploiting the anniversary of 9/11 by encouraging customers to place wagers on New York sports teams for a special daily trifecta.
The Boston-based company offered bettors a 9/11-themed pitch that required three New York-based teams — the Yankees, Mets and Jets — to win their games Monday, the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people at Manhattan’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a plane crash in Pennsylvania.
“It’s greed. These people are greedy,” fumed Tom Von Essen, who was the New York City fire commissioner when 343 of his firefighters perished while trying to save lives after the hijackers rammed planes into the two World Trade Center towers, causing the collapse of the two behemoth buildings.
“It’s insensitive and over the top,” Von Essen said of DraftKings’ 9/11 pitch. “It’s something we don’t need on 9/11. But I understand greed.”
After an outcry on social media from other people also offended by the parlay, titled “Never Forget,” DraftKings took the offer down and apologized.
“We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11. We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected,” DraftKings said in a statement.
The “Never Forget” parlay urge customers to “bet these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11” — the Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks, the Yankee vs. the Boston Red Sox and the Jets vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Both the Jets are Bills are considered New York teams, though the Jets play their home games across the Hudson in New Jersey.
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