FanDuel, Bryce Harper video to losing gambler reinforces the greed of the MLB, sportsbooks and the union
A disturbing new report from The Philadelphia Inquirer reveals that FanDuel used a personalized video from Phillies slugger Bryce Harper to target an online gambling addict.
Sent directly to customer Terry Thompson by his FanDuel VIP manager, "Bryttanni," the video features Harper wishing the gambler a happy Thanksgiving, greeting his young son, and thanking him for his years of support.
Thompson wasn't just an ordinary fan; he was a problem gambler who wagered a staggering $18.5 million on FanDuel and lost $1.5 million. Instead of cutting him off, FanDuel gave Thompson VIP treatment, showering him with champagne and Super Bowl tickets while weaponizing Harper, a two-time NL MVP.
This gross revelation brings us right back to the Major League Baseball Players Association's recent, ridiculous collective bargaining proposals. Last month, I noted the union's hypocrisy in demanding a bigger share of sportsbook revenue while trying to shield itself from the realities of the gambling market.
During those CBA negotiations, the union eagerly sought clarity on how players can secure lucrative endorsement deals with sportsbooks. Now we see exactly what those corporate partnerships look like in practice: using the sport's most recognizable players as high-end retention tools to squeeze millions out of desperate people.
The MLBPA has also complained about players facing harassment from angry bettors, even pushing to ban player props. Yet they remain completely silent when their multi-billion-dollar sportsbook partners aggressively target and manipulate actual addicts, using a superstar to drag a vulnerable father deeper into a gambling hole.
Then there is the absolute joke of baseball's "integrity". The union is allegedly pushing for a soft 15-day minor-league "rehab assignment" for players caught illegally betting on baseball. It turns out the union wants coddling for its rule-breakers while the league’s official betting partners actively exploit everyday fans in the background.
Harper's video exposes the hypocrisy of these sportsbook partnerships with leagues and players. All-Stars are being used in predatory marketing schemes, proving that the union is far too busy chasing betting dollars to actually protect the reputation of its players or the well-being of the fans.
MLB and the union love to plaster "responsible gaming" logos on every broadcast to pretend they care about the human cost. But this video shows the entire ecosystem is a fraudulent, greedy mess. It is time for baseball to decide what matters more: the money or the fans.
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