MLB player blasts FanDuel use of his video as VIP reward - says he didn't consent

• MLB star in the center of a controversy involving his image and likeness sent out as a VIP reward to an allegedly problem gambler
• The star, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, has denied consenting to his image being used in a way to encourage excessive gambling and reiterated that he did not consent to this
• FanDuel has released a statement saying that the company is committed to responsible gambling and has a staff of trained specialists who can detect gambling-related harm

Celebrities' endorsement of sports betting brands has always been bound to backfire, but the way it has with Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper once again raises the question of just how prudent it is for athletes to be the face of these businesses.

Harper denies ever consenting to having his image and likeness used to encourage gamblers

The Philadelphia Inquirer previously reported the case, detailing the activity of a bettor named Terry Thompson who ended up wagering $18.5 million with FanDuel and was eventually sent a thank-you video by the company, which featured a personalized message from the MLB star.

The message was tailored to Thompson in particular, using his name and focusing on personal details of the man's life, including the fact that he had a young son.

However, Harper has denied that he ever agreed to his image and likeness being used to promote FanDuel or as encouragement to a bettor showing signs of excessive gambling, saying he did not know aboutThompson's situation when he recorded the video.

The video was obtained by FanDuel from Cameo, a platform that pays celebrities to record themselves and then allows customers to create customized videos. The celebrities still retain rights over whom they agree to share their videos with.

"Had I known FanDuel's true intent, I would not have made the video. The same is true had I known anything about Terry or his situation, or about any alleged 'partnership' between Cameo and FanDuel," Harper said in a statement.

Thompson pursues litigation against FanDuel over major losses

Harper categorically denied having consent to his image and likeness to be used for these purposes, and said that he had no idea why FanDuel would act the way the company did.
For FanDuel's part, the company has said that it always sought to foster a culture of responsible gambling and protecting customers.

A statement shared with the media also pointed out that FanDuel was not an offshore sportsbook, and unlike those businesses, its staff was trained to recognize the marks of problem gambling.

Presently, FanDuel is subject to litigation from Thompson, who filed the lawsuit against the company, claiming that he has lost a total of $1.52m dollars playing at the sportsbooks. The litigation anmes other sportsbooks, as well, including DraftKings. The original video was actually recorded in November 2024, even though it became the focus of events only recently.

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