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Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is scrambling to explain his role in Major League Baseball's latest sports betting controversy.
Harper finally broke his silence over a controversial Cameo video he recorded in November 2024 for gambler Terry Thompson.
Harper says he believed he was recording a holiday greeting.
Instead, the message landed in the middle of a lawsuit alleging FanDuel targeted Thompson, who wagered $18.5 million with sportsbooks and lost more than $1.5 million on the platform alone.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bryce Harper tosses the ball towards first base vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Wisconsin. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)
Thompson's lawsuit against FanDuel and several other defendants has now dragged Harper into the middle of the controversy.
Facing intense public scrutiny, Harper released a statement on his Instagram Stories and attempted to distance himself from FanDuel.
"I joined Cameo to engage with fans through paid personalized videos," Harper wrote. "What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved."
BRYCE HARPER VIDEO TO FANDUEL USER WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION UNDER REVIEW BY PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS
Harper claimed he received what appeared to be a personal request, rather than a corporate business order, to wish "Terry" a happy Thanksgiving.
"FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion," Harper wrote. "I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it."
There is a glaring problem with Harper's explanation.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper stands in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2026. (Brad Mills/Imagn Images)
The instructions he received, and the exact script he read on camera, explicitly mentioned the sportsbook.
In the footage, Harper looks into the lens and tells Thompson he is reaching out because "your host Bryttanni from FanDuel" wanted to ensure he had an extra-special holiday.
It is difficult to claim complete ignorance when you actively read the words "from FanDuel" out loud.
Harper said he read the script "in good faith."
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But for a superstar like Harper, reading a sportsbook's name in a paid video without asking a single question is a tough look.
Now, attention turns to whether Major League Baseball takes a closer look.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is already investigating FanDuel's use of celebrity messages to target high-roller VIP bettors.
Whether Major League Baseball believes Harper crossed any line remains to be seen. While Harper did not bet on baseball, the situation is likely to draw attention because it involves a promotional message tied to a sportsbook.
Fox News Digital/OutKick reached out to FanDuel, the Phillies and Harper's rep for comment.
At best, Harper was incredibly naive.
He failed to recognize that a script referencing a "FanDuel host" amounted to a gambling promotion.
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At worst, he accepted a paid request without asking enough questions and is now backtracking after the ugly reality of sports betting addiction landed in the spotlight.
Either way, it is a bad look for one of baseball's biggest stars. Next time, Harper might want to read the fine print before hitting record.
Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies leave the field after defeating the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 2026. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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