Several of ESPN’s greatest on-air figures are being criticized for selling a cell gaming app now accused of misleading practices. Stephen A. Smith, Laura Rutledge, Mina Kimes, and others are going through intense backlash after endorsing Solitaire Cash, a real-money gaming app operated by Papaya Gaming, which is at the moment the topic of a number of lawsuits alleging that its video games had been “rigged” by the usage of bots posing as actual gamers.
The controversy comes simply months after Smith went viral for taking part in solitaire on his telephone throughout Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. That viral second has now advanced right into a full-blown sponsorship deal.
Earlier this week, Smith was named the official ambassador for Papaya Gaming and the upcoming World Solitaire Championship, scheduled to happen in Miami in February 2026. Smith celebrated the partnership by sharing an AI-generated video advert on social media, parodying the second he was caught taking part in solitaire courtside. “Y’all really mad I was playing Solitaire during the Finals? Maybe ask yourself why. Join now for the first time ever — World Solitaire Championship,” Smith posted on X (previously Twitter), in keeping with Yahoo Sports.
Fans Call Endorsements “Gross” Amid Lawsuit Allegations
Fans and critics alike have slammed the ESPN host for the sponsorship. Former ESPN character Michelle Beadle, who has an extended historical past of feuding with Smith, known as the deal “gross.” On her Beadle and Decker podcast, she remarked, “I’m not a religious person, but I pray for the downfall. I really do. It’s gross, man. You gotta have principles in this thing.”
Beadle didn’t cease there, including, “ESPN pays him a gazillion dollars to get a lot of stuff wrong and yell. He gets caught playing solitaire during the NBA freaking Finals, the thing he’s an expert in. He made you look like fools for handing him a blank check in the first place.”
Her feedback come as Papaya Gaming faces a rising checklist of authorized troubles. The firm is being sued for allegedly falsely advertising its cell video games as “skill-based” whereas utilizing bots to govern outcomes. A federal choose just lately denied Papaya’s request for abstract judgment in a case introduced by competitor Skillz Platform Inc., permitting the lawsuit to proceed. The courtroom famous proof suggesting that “Papaya used tailored bots to control the outcomes of tournaments,” enabling the corporate to find out who received or misplaced “no matter how they performed.”
ESPN Figures Face Backlash Over Paid Promotions
While Smith was the one particular person formally named as a Papaya ambassador, a number of different ESPN abilities participated in selling the sport on-line. Dan Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge, Kendrick Perkins, Mina Kimes, and Ros Gold-Onwude all posted paid commercials tagged with #advert and #BeatStephen, inviting followers to obtain the app and compete towards Smith.
Rutledge wrote on X, “Ad @stephenasmith who’s the winner now?! Who else wants the sweet taste of @solitairecash victory? Download, join in #BeatStephen and don’t forget to share your score.” Orlovsky’s publish learn, “Ad Alright @stephenasmith ….you got me this time But I’m coming back stronger — who’s joining me in the @solitairecash #BeatStephen challenge?!”
The fan response was overwhelmingly unfavorable. One consumer replied, “Gross, man.” Another wrote, “Are you low on cash? What the heck is this?” Others accused ESPN personalities of “corporate greed,” with one remark studying, “Sorry, Laura, the product promotion by on-air talent has reached a level that is unacceptable.”
Mina Kimes Issues Public Apology as Controversy Escalates
The on-line backlash prompted ESPN analyst Mina Kimes to difficulty an apology to her greater than 900,000 followers on X. “The truth is: I didn’t spend any time looking into the whole thing, and that’s 100% on me,” she admitted. “Thought it was just typical marketing work, and I’m deeply embarrassed I didn’t vet it. A colossal f***-up on my part.” Her publish has since been seen greater than 6 million occasions.
Papaya Gaming has denied wrongdoing, stating that its video games haven’t used bots since November 2023 and that it intends to “vigorously prove” that the accusations are false. However, lawsuits proceed to allege that Papaya “rigged” its platform through the use of bots “masquerading as human players,” manipulating participant outcomes, and deceptive shoppers.
Despite the authorized cloud and public criticism, Smith and different ESPN personalities haven’t retracted their promotions. ESPN has additionally not issued a press release relating to its staff’ involvement within the marketing campaign.
For now, the backlash continues to develop, with followers expressing disappointment over what they see as an rising development of sports activities figures — each athletes and broadcasters — monetizing their fame by questionable endorsements. As one commenter put it bluntly: “Everyone needs to make money, but this is too far.”
