DraftKings, a Boston-based company that holds daily fantasy sports contests and sports betting, will not forget anytime soon about what many see as a colossal marketing blunder.
On the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists, the sportsbook offered a three-game parlay involving New York teams. Headlined “NEVER FORGET,” the promo featured the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, from MLB, and the NFL’s New York Jets.
“Bet these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11,” the ad stated.
Draft Kings really had a “Never Forget” 9/11 parlay today. Fire your entire marketing team, guys. They’re imbeciles. pic.twitter.com/X2lErzsJIb
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 11, 2023
A parlay bet is when you combine several outcomes into a single bet — in this case, winners receive $651 on a $100 wager on the three teams.
DraftKings eventually pulled the promotion and offered an apology:
“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,” the company said in a statement.
Then again, it’s not like DraftKings went as far as President Biden did to sully the day.
After infuriating 9/11 families by becoming the first U.S. president not to hold a memorial at the White House or to attend Ground Zero ceremonies in honor of those fallen, Biden opened his remarks from Alaska commemorating the solemn day by cracking a joke about being an All-America and LIED to the American people about being at Ground Zero
Nonetheless, the company heard from social media — some suggest Gen Z is a little less attached to the emotions of that fateful day:
Generation Z is more often than not emotionally disconnected from the realities of 9/11, and things like this show it.
— Christopher Hale (@chrisjollyhale) September 11, 2023
Awful and disgusting
— The Billy Clerk (@jacktobiaschs) September 11, 2023
When you bet with your emotions
— Gonzo the Great (@GonzDaGreat) September 11, 2023
I think most of the families would appreciate a parlay in memoriam
— Bitcoin Thinkboi (@BThinkboi) September 11, 2023
Their other choices were the Kennedy assassination “money line” and the Titanic “Over/Under”.
— metaphorical perspective (@therockfordfile) September 11, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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