Jaguars helmet

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JUNE 15: A Jacksonville Jaguars helmet as seen during Jacksonville Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at TIAA Bank Field on June 15, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Months after news broke about a former Jaguars employee stealing $22 million, things just got crazier.

Back in December, reports emerged that a former Jacksonville Jaguars employee had stolen $22 million from the franchise.

Now the team wants its money back.

According to ESPN.com, the Jaguars have asked FanDuel to reimburse some or all of the money that Patel stole.

“The Jacksonville Jaguars have asked FanDuel to reimburse them for some or all of the approximately $20 million in stolen proceeds a former employee lost on the site, but the company is unwilling to pay,” ESPN reported on Friday. “The source familiar with the situation said discussions are ongoing among FanDuel, the Jaguars and the NFL on what the source called ‘a settlement.’ However, the source said, ‘The way they see it … we got this money fair and clear. It’s not our problem that we have to forfeit it back to you.’”

From 2018 until 2023, Amit Patel managed the Jaguars’ finances. After just a year on the team, Patel started stealing money from the Jaguars using the fake credit card program, totaling more than $22 million.

According to ESPN, Patel gambled about $20 million on the well-known sportsbook FanDuel. In addition to losing $1 million on DraftKings, the former financial planner wagered on FanDuel, where he received a personal host.

Patel’s lawyer had said gambling and substance abuse problems fueled his embezzling scheme.

Patel pleaded guilty and faces up to 30 years in prison, along with a $500,000 fine due on March 12 at the time of his sentence.

It remains to be seen if FanDuel is going to go through with giving some if not all of the money back. They certainly are not obligated to.