TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie's defense of fantasy sports betting as unworthy of regulation wasn't just a Republican debate applause line — it's also position that favors the interests of one of his personal friends and presidential campaign donors, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerral "Jerry" Jones.
Jones, who owns the world's most valuable sports franchise in the $4 billion Cowboys, also holds a personal stake in DraftKings, a $1.2 billion venture that's become one of the largest daily fantasy sports contest providers in the nation.
An examination of federal election filings by NJ Advance Media shows that Jones and his wife, their children, in-laws, grandchildren, as well as several current and former senior employees of the NFL franchise all donated the maximum $2,700 allowed by law for a combined $40,500 to Christie's presidential campaign.