Bryce Harper denies consent for FanDuel video used as VIP reward
Harper’s Statement on FanDuel Video
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper stated he was unaware a Cameo video he recorded would be utilized by FanDuel as a reward for a VIP customer. The customer, Terry Thompson, later filed a lawsuit against the sportsbook, alleging that it exploited his gambling addiction. Harper clarified his position on a social media post on Monday, hours before his scheduled participation in the Home Run Derby.
Harper indicated that if he had known FanDuel’s true intentions, he would not have created the video. He also stated that he would not have made the video if he had been aware of Thompson’s personal situation. The video, which featured Harper addressing Thompson by name and mentioning his young son, was marked with FanDuel’s logo. Harper noted in the video that he was making it at the request of Thompson’s VIP manager at FanDuel, identified as “your host Bryttanni.”
Harper explicitly denied consenting to the video’s use by FanDuel. He wrote, “I did not know FanDuel would do this. I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.”
Details of the Customer’s Lawsuit
Reports indicate that Terry Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel. He reportedly lost $1.5 million, according to a lawsuit filed in March by the Public Health Advocacy Institute in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Thompson against FanDuel and DraftKings, with Thompson also reportedly losing money to DraftKings. The lawsuit alleges that both companies use their products and VIP services to intentionally maximize addiction.
Thompson’s lawsuit details significant financial losses, including taking out second and third mortgages on his home, which subsequently went into foreclosure. He also sold shares of an investment company he had managed for two decades. By late February, Thompson’s suit claims he wagered and lost his last $10,000 on a DraftKings parlay bet. His total losses, according to the lawsuit, amounted to nearly $2 million. Thompson’s therapist contacted the police after he texted them, leading officers to intervene at his home to prevent self-harm.
FanDuel, when asked for comment, stated its commitment to fostering responsible gaming and protecting customers. The company highlighted that its employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling, offering resources and tools, and that it continues to review and strengthen its policies to ensure strong consumer protection initiatives.
Implications for Sports and Gambling
The personalized video message from an active athlete to a sportsbook VIP customer, particularly one with a gambling addiction, has raised questions within the sports industry. While Major League Baseball’s policy does not explicitly address interactions with VIP gamblers, this situation tests the league’s stance on players’ involvement with gambling companies. There is no evidence suggesting that Harper has an official partnership with FanDuel or was aware of Thompson’s addiction.
Experts familiar with the intersection of professional sports and the gambling industry have expressed concerns. One expert, Danny Funt, who researched sportsbook VIP programs, noted that while VIP bettors sometimes interact with former athletes, an active player, especially a former MVP, doing something like this is unprecedented. Another agent, Leigh Steinberg, described the Harper video as “bad for sports,” advising against such promotional work for sportsbook companies due to its exploitative nature and potential negative impact on an athlete’s brand.
MLB’s collective bargaining agreement, 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. Other leagues, like the NFL, prohibit players from marketing or promoting any form of gambling under their collective bargaining agreement. The NBA allows players to hold passive ownership stakes and engage in promotional work for gambling companies, as long as they do not encourage betting on basketball.
A former NFL attorney and sports law professor, Jodi Balsam, questioned whether the sportsbook company intentionally used the video because they knew they had an addicted gambler. She suggested that Thompson’s story should prompt sports leagues and players to consider the implications of such activities if they lead to addictive and self-destructive behaviors by fans. Harper, 33, has been a highly marketable player throughout his 15-year career, with endorsement deals with various companies.
Harper is not named in the lawsuit filed by the Public Health Advocacy Institute in March.
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Source: newsday.com
