ESPN ANALYST MATT MILLER INVESTIGATED OVER FANTASY FOOTBALL PAYMENTS

Matt Miller, an ESPN draft analyst, has issued a statement following allegations that he failed to pay winners in fantasy football leagues he organised. Miller told The Athletic that his legal counsel had advised him to limit his response, but said he had attempted to contact all winners from the previous season to ensure payment. He stated that his direct messages across all social media platforms remained open for winners to contact him.

The allegations emerged from a Reddit thread and a report from Awful Announcing, which claimed Miller had not paid participants in leagues he ran on Sleeper, which he described as charity ventures. The Athletic interviewed 12 people who reported non-payment; nine said they received prize money only after repeated contact, threats of public exposure, or reports to ESPN. Miller organised 91 fantasy football leagues last year, according to accounts provided. Awful Announcing's investigation found more than 40 people with similar complaints dating back to 2017, and identified potential discrepancies surrounding Miller's 417 Foundation, which he reported began in 2013.

The Missouri Attorney General's Office launched an investigation following the controversy's increased public attention. In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the office said it encouraged consumers who believed they had been misled to come forward, and stated that Attorney General Hanaway was committed to consumer protection and would work to establish the facts of the matter.