Bryce Harper says FanDuel turned a personal Cameo greeting into a branded VIP promotion without his knowledge or approval. The Philadelphia Phillies star issued the denial after the video surfaced in a lawsuit involving bettor Terry Thompson.
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A FanDuel logo appears on the 20-second video sent to Thompson for Thanksgiving 2024. However, Harper said he only accepted a personal Cameo request submitted by someone named “Bryttanni.”
“Contrary to the Inquirer’s suggestion, I did not know the Cameo video would be used for a FanDuel VIP promotion, and I have no affiliation with FanDuel whatsoever,” Harper stated on Instagram.
Harper said the buyer avoided the Cameo business category and requested a “holiday video for Terry.” He then read a supplied script mentioning “your host Bryttanni from FanDuel,” but said he viewed it as a personal message rather than commercial gambling content.
“I read it in good faith,” Harper said. “FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion. I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.”
Harper wished Thompson and his family a “wonderful Thanksgiving” and thanked him for his support. He did not discuss betting or encourage any wagers.
“What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved,” Harper said.
“Counsel has directed me not to comment any further at this time,” he added.
Thompson filed suit in March against FanDuel, DraftKings, the NFL, Genius Sports and several sportsbook employees. The complaint alleges that operators used customer data, VIP hosts and rapid microbetting markets to encourage large and frequent wagers.
According to the lawsuit, Thompson wagered about $18.5 million through FanDuel and received VIP perks including Super Bowl tickets and hotel accommodation. He claims the losses forced him to take out several mortgages, lose his home and sell an ownership interest in a company after two decades.