Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN Orders Dan Orlovsky, Kendrick Perkins, Mina Kimes and Laura Rutledge to Cut Ties with Papaya Gaming

Mina Kimes has already issued an apology, while others are yet to do so.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN has issued strict orders for several on-air talents like NFL host Laura Rutledge, and analyst Dan Orlovsky, NBA analyst and former player Kendrick Perkins as well as Mina Kimes to end their ties with Papaya Gaming. According to reports by Front Office Sports, ESPN is warning its top talent about a promotion controversy, considering Papaya Gaming is already in the middle of a lawsuit. While Kimes has already issued an apology for her decision to promote the app, others have maintained their silence on the matter.

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Notably, earlier this month, Stephen A. Smith announced his partnership with a solitaire phone app owned by Papaya Gaming. He became ambassador of the app, while others including Rutledge, Perkins, among others were seen promoting the game on social media. However, now, ESPN wants its on-air talent to cut their ties with the app. Front Office Sports reported, “ESPN is ordering several on-air talents to cut their marketing ties to controversial Papaya Gaming, Front Office Sports has learned.”

“ESPN brass told Dan Orlovsky, Kendrick Perkins, Mina Kimes, and Laura Rutledge to end their promotion of Papaya and its solitaire app, sources say.”

What is the Controversy Surrounding Papaya Games?

As stated, Papaya Gaming is currently facing a federal lawsuit alleging that it has falsely marketed the app as a game of skill. In fact, it uses “tailored bots” to control the outcome of tournaments.” However, the company has denied the allegations as generally the companies do. However, as soon as the criticism went viral, Mina Kimes issued a public apology for promoting it. She stated that she didn’t know about the whole thing.

Kimes went on to take complete responsibility for it, while Orlovsky and Rutledge deleted their promotional tweets. “The truth is I didn’t spend any time looking into the whole thing, and that’s 100% on me,” Kimes tweeted. “Thought it was just typical marketing work, and I’m deeply embarrassed I didn’t vet it. A colossal f***-up on my part.”

Now that others have done their part, it is to be seen what First Take head Stephen Smith does. He is the face of the campaign, and the channel hasn’t addressed if any warning was sent to him. If yes, what would be the next step for him and if not, it will be interesting to see if fans react to this double standard.

Kendrick Perkins

Mina Kimes

Stephen A Smith

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.