Insider Trading January 22, 2026

DraftKings Chief Legal Officer Executes Stock Transactions Amid Market Volatility

Dodge R Stanton's Share Sales and Option Exercises Occur as Analyst Ratings Highlight DraftKings' Market Position

By Ajmal Hussain DKNG
DraftKings Chief Legal Officer Executes Stock Transactions Amid Market Volatility
DKNG

DraftKings Inc.'s Chief Legal Officer, Dodge R Stanton, recently undertook significant stock transactions involving both the sale of shares and the exercise of stock options. These actions took place against a backdrop of notable share price volatility, analyst optimism about the company’s potential profitability, and a fluctuating online sports betting market in key jurisdictions such as New York and Maine.

Key Points

  • Dodge R Stanton executed a $1.69 million sale of DraftKings shares and simultaneously acquired 40,066 shares through option exercises, resulting in direct ownership of 500,000 shares.
  • DraftKings’ stock has faced substantial volatility with significant declines over the past six months and year, despite positive analyst forecasts anticipating imminent profitability.
  • Industry developments include mixed online betting revenue reports in New York and the legalization of iGaming in Maine, reflecting evolving market conditions impacting DraftKings and the wider online gambling sector.

Dodge R Stanton, serving as the Chief Legal Officer at DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG), engaged in notable stock activity on January 20, 2026. He sold a total of 52,777 shares of DraftKings’ Class A Common Stock across multiple trades, with transaction prices varying between $31.24 and $32.99. The aggregate value of these sales reached approximately $1.69 million. At the time of these transactions, the stock was trading around $31.64 and had demonstrated considerable volatility, having declined more than 29% over the past six months and 23% in the previous year according to InvestingPro data.

On the same day, Stanton exercised stock options enabling him to acquire 40,066 shares at $2.95 per share, amounting to a total value near $118,194. Following these combined activities, his direct ownership in DraftKings stands at 500,000 shares.

While DraftKings has not been profitable in the last twelve months, analyst commentary via InvestingPro suggests the company is currently undervalued and anticipates profitability within the current year. The firm maintains moderate levels of debt and recorded positive free cash flow totaling $654 million over the past year. Investors are awaiting the company’s forthcoming earnings report, scheduled for February 12, 2026.

Additional context highlights dynamic developments impacting DraftKings recently. Benchmark has maintained a Buy rating with a price target of $37.00 despite challenges such as a reported 40% decline in New York’s online sports betting revenue during the NFL Wild Card weekend relative to the prior year, as noted by the New York State Gaming Commission. However, Benchmark reaffirmed its Buy stance following a 94% year-over-year growth in New York’s online sports betting revenue during Week 18.

Furthermore, Citizens has assigned a Market Outperform rating for DraftKings with a price target of $44.00, aligning this rating with legislative progress in Maine where iGaming and iPoker were legalized, making it the ninth state to approve such online gaming activities. This legislative milestone is important as Maine introduces its market following Rhode Island’s iGaming launch earlier in 2024. These factors collectively illustrate a landscape of both risks and growth opportunities within the evolving U.S. online sports betting and gaming sector.

The company’s movements and analyst perspectives underscore an ongoing balancing act between operational challenges and market expansion prospects. Stakeholders are closely watching for further financial disclosures that could clarify DraftKings’ trajectory amid changing regulatory and competitive conditions.

Risks

  • DraftKings’ stock price volatility and recent declines signify potential market uncertainties impacting investor sentiment in the online gaming sector.
  • The decline in New York’s online sports betting revenue, notably a 40% drop during a key NFL weekend, presents challenges to revenue stability for DraftKings in a crucial market.
  • Dependence on regulatory changes, as evident in Maine’s recent legalization moves, introduces uncertainty as online sports betting and gaming regulations continue to evolve across states.

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