Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper issued a public statement Monday denying he authorized the sports betting platform FanDuel to utilize a personalized video message for commercial promotions, pushing back against reports that linked him to a high-profile lawsuit that states the video footage was delivered to one of FanDuel’s VIP client’s, who is struggling with a severe gambling addiction.
Harper clarified that the brief footage had been commissioned through Cameo, a digital application where public figures record custom greetings for consumers, rather than through an official corporate endorsement contract. The controversy arose after local media reported that the promotional material was dispatched to a VIP bettor who accumulated millions of dollars in total wagers.
In a statement posted Monday on Instagram, Harper said he recorded the video in 2024 after receiving what he believed was a standard Cameo request for a holiday greeting and was unaware it would later be branded with FanDuel’s logo and delivered as part of a customer retention effort. Harper wrote that the request was submitted under the name “Bryttanni” and that the request, which included a script, simply asked for a holiday greeting intended for an individual named Terry. Harper said Cameo distinguishes between personal and business requests, and that the order was presented as a personal message rather than a commercial one. “I did not know FanDuel would do this,” Harper wrote. “I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.” He added that he has no affiliation with FanDuel and said he would have declined the request had he known how the video would be used or the circumstances surrounding the recipient. According to information released regarding his platform rates, business-related orders carry a higher financial fee and grant promotional rights, whereas individual orders strictly prohibit marketing distribution.
The lawsuit, filed by Pennsylvania bettor Terry Thompson, alleges FanDuel and other sportsbook operators exploited his gambling addiction through VIP programs and incentives. According to court filings and reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Thompson wagered approximately $18.5 million through FanDuel, lost about $1.8 million, and ultimately suffered severe financial consequences, including the loss of his home. The personalized Harper video was cited as one example of the company’s efforts to cultivate relationships with high-value customers.
The matter has also drawn the attention of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which confirmed it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the video. FanDuel has not publicly responded to Harper’s latest statement, while questions remain about how the Cameo recording was obtained and whether the company had the rights to use it in a promotional setting.
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