Bryce Harper addresses FanDuel video

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Usually, a summer weekend will reset the sports news cycle, allowing a goldfish-brained collective consciousness to move on to something new. That didn't keep Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper from dusting off a topic that had lost some steam since it surfaced last week. Harper has issued a statement on Instagram addressing the report from the Philadelphia Inquirer about a Cameo video that was purchased by a FanDuel VIP host for a bettor who had lost enough money to make it money well spent in an effort to lure him back. "In November 2024," Harper wrote in his Instagram story, "someone identifying themselves as 'Bryttanni' submitted an order through Cameo for a personal 'holiday video for Terry.' 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. The request included a short script. I read it in good faith. 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 said that he wouldn't have made the video if he had known "anything about Terry or his situation, or about any alleged 'partnership' between Cameo and FanDuel." "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 said. "Counsel has directed me not to comment any further at this time." The last part allows Harper to simply refer to his statement if asked about the situation during the All-Star Game festivities, which are happening this year in Philadelphia. Harper also posted a screenshot of the order, with the text of the "instructions for Bryce Harper." The script reads as follows: "Hey Terry. Your host Bryttanni (Britt-knee) from FanDuel wanted to make sure your Thanksgiving was extra special, so I just wanted to hop on and wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. Tell Max (son) I said hello!" So what did Harper think the purpose of the video was? At a minimum, he should have at least suspected it was a business video purchased by FanDuel — and that it was something FanDuel would be using to promote FanDuel to Terry specifically. Insert the name of any other company, with the video coming from the person at the company who primarily interacts with a given customer. What other impression could be created than that the company is hoping to enhance the customer relationship? While FanDuel shouldn't have added its logo to the video, Harper should have realized that this wasn't bought for Terry by a friend or family as a gift. (Hell, who even gives gifts on Thanksgiving, anyway?) Basically, Harper's story isn't very persuasive. There's more than enough in the words "your host . . . from FanDuel" to put anyone with basic intelligence on notice that this was something FanDuel would be using to keep Terry betting (and losing). And the fact that Harper has retained counsel for this specific situation suggests that he's concerned that there could be further complications arising from it beyond bad P.R.