Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper addresses Cameo video sent to gambler, citing lack of consent

By Daniel Foster — 13 July 2026 — 4 min read

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has stated he did not consent to a personalized video message he recorded being used as a gambling promotion by FanDuel. The video, which was sent to a customer with a gambling addiction, has prompted Harper to clarify his involvement and knowledge of its intended use.

Harper released a statement on his Instagram account ahead of his All-Star media availability and Home Run Derby appearance, marking his first public comment on the 21-second video. The video, initially reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, featured Harper wishing a fan a happy Thanksgiving and was branded with FanDuel’s logo.

Video’s Origin and Harper’s Response

In November 2024, Harper received a video request through Cameo, a platform where athletes and celebrities create personalized messages for paying fans. The request came from someone identified as “Bryttanni” and included a script. Harper followed this script, which mentioned that “Bryttanni from FanDuel” wanted to ensure the recipient had an “extra special Thanksgiving.”

Harper stated he read the script in good faith, believing it to be a personal request. He emphasized that he had no knowledge that FanDuel would place its logo on the video or use it for commercial purposes, and he did not consent to such use. He further clarified that had he known FanDuel’s true intent, or anything about the recipient’s situation, he would not have made the video.

The Phillies player asserted he has no affiliation with FanDuel, despite the company being an official betting partner of Major League Baseball. He noted that Cameo has a separate category for business video requests, and he was unaware this particular video would be utilized commercially.

This incident raises questions regarding Harper’s process for vetting requests and how Cameo communicates requests originating from partners like FanDuel. According to his Cameo page, Harper’s personal messages start at $899.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is currently reviewing the video, according to reports.

Context of the Recipient and Legal Action

The recipient of the video, Terry Thompson, is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against several sportsbooks, including FanDuel. Thompson and another plaintiff allege that these companies use their products and VIP services to intentionally coerce bettors into gambling more. Thompson, who had VIP status with FanDuel, claims to have incurred over $1.5 million in gambling debt.

The lawsuit details that Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel, which led to his VIP status and perks such as free tickets and hotel accommodations for the Super Bowl, along with micro-bets to encourage continued gambling. Thompson’s attorneys declined to make him available for comment.

Harper’s name is not mentioned in the lawsuit. The video appears to be another perk arranged by Thompson’s FanDuel VIP manager, Bryttanni Morgan, for Thompson, who is a fan of Philadelphia sports.

The lawsuit claims that Thompson’s losses totaled nearly $2 million. He alleges covering these losses by taking out second and third mortgages on his home, which later faced foreclosure, and selling shares of an investment company he had managed for two decades. In late February, Thompson reportedly lost his last $10,000 on a DraftKings parlay bet. His therapist was contacted by police after Thompson texted them, preventing him from harming himself.

Experts familiar with the intersection of professional sports and the gambling industry have expressed concerns about the video. While Harper does not explicitly encourage gambling in the video, its context raises ethical questions. One expert, Danny Funt, noted that while VIP bettors sometimes interact with former athletes, an active player, especially a former MVP, doing something like this is unprecedented.

Leigh Steinberg, an agent representing athletes such as Patrick Mahomes, described the Harper video as “bad for sports,” advising clients against promotional work for sportsbook companies due to brand implications.

League Policies and Industry Practices

MLB’s collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in December, permits athletes to appear in advertisements or make personal appearances for casinos, racetracks, or sportsbook companies, provided they do not encourage betting on baseball. However, the interaction between Harper and a VIP gambler, seemingly arranged by a major sportsbook employee, presents a unique situation regarding the league’s stance on player involvement with gambling companies.

There is no evidence suggesting an official partnership between Harper and FanDuel, or that Harper was aware of Thompson’s gambling addiction. A recent report confirmed a partnership between FanDuel and Cameo that allows Cameo videos to be purchased for FanDuel VIP bettors.

A source familiar with FanDuel’s partnership efforts indicated that there is precedent for athletes recording videos for VIP bettors, citing an example involving former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. These videos and phone calls are typically intended to remain private.

The lawsuit and the Harper video have intensified scrutiny of sportsbook VIP programs, which reward high-volume customers with personalized perks to encourage continued use of their services. A FanDuel spokesperson stated the company is committed to responsible gaming and protecting customers, with employees trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling.

Harper, who is 33, has been a prominent figure in baseball for 15 years, with endorsement deals including Under Armour and Gatorade. His Mormon faith prohibits gambling and alcohol use.

According to two individuals briefed on the matter, Harper could pursue litigation against FanDuel.

Source: nytimes.com