Stephen A. Smith Drops Solitaire Cash Deal After Legal Controversy

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has ended his sponsorship with Solitaire Cash. The termination was confirmed by Front Office Sports this week. The deal lasted just over a month.

The partnership is over by mutual agreement. It follows legal trouble for the game’s owner, Papaya Gaming. This ends a brief and controversial promotional chapter.

Deal Unravels Amidst Legal Battle and ESPN Scrutiny

Smith promoted the mobile game Solitaire Cash. He became an ambassador in early November. An AI-generated commercial featuring him was created.

However, Papaya Gaming faced a major lawsuit. Competitor Skillz Platform Inc. accused it of false advertising. Papaya’s counterclaims were dismissed in court recently.

This legal backdrop likely influenced the split. Smith stated he and Papaya “mutually agreed” to part ways. The promotional AI ad has been removed from Papaya’s YouTube channel.

ESPN Colleagues Also Distance Themselves From App

Other ESPN personalities also promoted the game. Stars like Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky posted about it. Those social media posts have now been deleted.

According to reports, ESPN instructed its talent to walk away. The network did not line up a replacement gambling app. This leaves a clear gap in the market.

The situation highlights risks with celebrity endorsements. Aligning with legally challenged products can backfire quickly. For now, Smith’s foray into solitaire sponsorship is conclusively over.

The swift end to Stephen A. Smith’s Solitaire Cash deal underscores the volatile nature of influencer marketing in the gaming sector. The move protects the host’s brand following significant legal scrutiny of the app.

Dropping this nugget your way

What is Solitaire Cash?

Solitaire Cash is a mobile game by Papaya Gaming. It allows users to play solitaire for real money. The app has been subject to a lawsuit alleging misleading practices.

Why did Stephen A. Smith leave the deal?

Smith and Papaya Gaming mutually ended the partnership. The split follows a dismissed lawsuit against Papaya. Industry reports suggest the legal issue was a key factor.

Did other ESPN hosts promote the game?

Yes, several ESPN personalities posted about Solitaire Cash. Names included Laura Rutledge and Kendrick Perkins. Those posts were later deleted on network advice.

What was the lawsuit about?

Competitor Skillz sued Papaya for false advertising. Skillz claimed the games were rigged. A court threw out Papaya’s counterclaims in late November.

Is the promotion completely gone?

The main AI ad is off Papaya’s YouTube. It remains on Stephen A. Smith’s personal X account. All related posts from ESPN colleagues have been removed.