Bryce Harper has finally broken his silence on the wild FanDuel controversy, and what he said is making serious waves. The Philadelphia Phillies star first baseman publicly addressed the personalized video that was sent via FanDuel to a gambling addict who is now suing the platform, claiming it encouraged his addiction. This isn't just some minor league kerfuffle, folks. We're talking about a fan, Terry Thompson, who reportedly lost more than $1.8 million in sports bets, and now the superstar slugger is caught right in the middle.
Harper's "Good Faith" Defense
Harper took to Instagram, dropping a long comment to shut down any idea that he *knowingly* encouraged Thompson to keep using FanDuel. He made it clear he joined Cameo for paid, personalized videos to connect with fans. According to Harper, this whole situation blew up way beyond anything he knew about or ever approved. He says the request came with a short script, which he read in good faith. Then, he claims, FanDuel slapped their own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion. Harper stated, strong and clear, that he "did not know FanDuel would do this," nor did he "consent to it," adding that "FanDuel had no right to do it." He insists that if he'd known FanDuel's real intent, he absolutely would not have made the video. He even directly pushed back on a *Philadelphia Inquirer* report that suggested he knew the Cameo video was for a FanDuel VIP promotion or that he had any affiliation with the platform whatsoever.The Video Tells a Different Story, and a State Is Watching
Here's where things get seriously sticky. While Harper is out here saying he was totally unaware of FanDuel's "true intent," the video itself reportedly shows him specifically noting that he was reaching out at the request of Thompson's VIP manager. You heard that right. In the video, Harper mentions "your host Bryttanni at FanDuel," who apparently wanted to ensure Thompson had an "extra special Thanksgiving." That's a direct contradiction to his claims of no affiliation or knowledge of FanDuel's specific promotional use. This is no small detail, and you know the league is watching. Shortly after the *Inquirer* dropped the initial report unearthing Harper's thank you video, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced they're officially reviewing the whole matter. "We are aware of the situation and are reviewing it," the board stated, per ESPN. This whole thing just went from messy to a full-blown state investigation. Harper, for his part, has indicated he's done talking for now, posting, "Counsel has directed me not to comment any further at this time." So, what happens next? A state investigation is underway, and Terry Thompson's lawsuit against FanDuel is evolving. With Harper now under a gag order from his counsel, the truth about what he knew, and when he knew it, might take some time to fully unravel.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.