Harper Denies FanDuel Consent for Gambling-Lawsuit Video
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Bryce Harper said on Instagram he did not know FanDuel would use a Cameo video he recorded, writing: "I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it," and would not have made it had he known FanDuel's intent or Thompson's situation.
- Harper received the Cameo request in November 2024 to read a provided script for a personal "holiday video for Terry"; the Philadelphia Inquirer published portions of the video last Thursday, and Harper shared a screenshot of the request with his statement.
- Terry Thompson sued FanDuel, VIP host Bryttanni Morgan, DraftKings, the NFL, and Genius Sports in March, alleging the sportsbooks caused his gambling addiction and approximately $2 million in betting losses, with promotions including Super Bowl tickets and hotel accommodations.
- FanDuel pointed to a prior statement that its employees "are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools" and said it is "reviewing and strengthen[ing] our policies" on consumer protection.
- MLB's collective bargaining agreement permits players to do sportsbook promotions as long as they do not authorize use of their name, uniform number, image, or likeness, or promote betting on baseball; MLB and the MLBPA declined to comment on Harper's statement.
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to ESPN it is reviewing the matter, opening a regulatory track alongside the civil suit.
Why it matters: Harper's public denial reframes the FanDuel lawsuit by spotlighting how a VIP host sourced a celebrity video without disclosure, while the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's review opens a parallel regulatory front. The case also tests the limits of MLB's CBA on athlete image use in sportsbook promotions.
