Bryce Harper Responds to FanDuel Gambling Ad Controversy

Bryce Harper has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding his video used in a promotional campaign by sportsbook FanDuel. The baseball star claims he had no idea his personal video would be used for commercial purposes.

The story came to light when the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Harper had recorded a personalized message in 2024 for Terry Thompson, a man who allegedly wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel since 2020 and lost around $2 million on bets.

Under MLB rules, players are allowed to appear in gambling advertisements, but they are prohibited from encouraging bets on baseball. Harper insists his video did not violate these rules because he was unaware of its intended use.

In a statement on Instagram, Harper explained that the request came through Cameo from a user identifying themselves only as 'Bryttanni' and was placed as a personal video, not a business one. He read the provided script in good faith and agreed, not suspecting it would be repurposed.

"FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion. I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it," Harper said. He added that had he known, he would never have fulfilled the request, emphasizing he has no affiliation with FanDuel whatsoever.

Harper noted that his legal counsel has advised him not to comment further on the matter, so he will not provide additional statements. Nevertheless, the incident has sparked widespread discussion in sports and business circles.

This case has reignited debates about the boundaries of personal video content and the responsibility of celebrities for the material they create. Experts suggest such incidents could lead to stricter regulations on gambling advertising.