Congress demands MLB intervention after Bryce Harper's video stunt
Congress demands MLB intervention after Bryce Harper's video stunt
Matthew Neschis Tue, August 11, 2026 at 5:12 PM UTC
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Bryce Harper was featured in a personalized Cameo sent by FanDuel to a VIP gambler -Credit:Getty Images
Three members of Congress called on MLB and its players’ union to take action after FanDuel sent a personalized video starring Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to a VIP gambler.
Back in November 2024, Terry Thompson — who allegedly lost approximately $1.5 million in bets on FanDuel — claimed to have received a Cameo of Harper from the sportsbook. In a subsequent lawsuit, he accused the betting operator of taking advantage of his gambling addiction by sending the clip.
In light of the incident, Senator Richard Bluementhal, Congressman Paul Tonko, and Congresswoman Valerie Foushee demanded that MLB ban such promotional deals between players and sportsbooks. A letter sent to the league and its players’ association read: "We write to demand an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that enabled this type of predatory promotion.” It comes as the Buffalo Bills were forced to issue a statement after a humiliating design flaw in the new $2.1B stadium was exposed.
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Bluementhal and Co. expressed concern that MLB’s current rulebook allows sportsbooks to "drive vulnerable fans into debt and addiction” through personalized content from the league’s biggest stars.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players can enter endorsement deals with betting operators so long as they don’t permit the use of their name, uniform number, image, or likeness "to advertise, promote or encourage betting on (for or against) any baseball game or event.”
The letter from the trio of legislators continued: "This is a failure that Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association must confront directly, especially as both are in the midst of renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement.”
In conclusion, the members of Congress posed five questions to MLB and the union regarding fan safety and future player endorsements from sportsbooks.
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Sen. Richard Blumenthal called on MLB to prohibit promotions between players and spprtsbooks -Credit:Getty Images
Taking to Instagram last month, Harper insisted that he was unaware how FanDuel planned to use his personalized video to Thompson.
"I did not know FanDuel would do this," the 33-year-old wrote. "I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it."
Harper claimed he received a Cameo request to make a “holiday video for Terry” using a script that was provided by the buyer.
“Cameo had a separate category for business video requests, and at the time I did not know this video would be used for commercial purposes,” he added. “That request included a short script. I read it in good faith.
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"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."
Addressing the ongoing scandal involving Harper, a FanDuel spokesperson said in an official statement: “FanDuel is committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers.
"Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives.”
It comes as an ex-NFL MVP supported Aaron Rodgers' "face vax card" claim after his Dr. Anthony Fauci rant.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
