Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has publicly addressed the viral controversy surrounding a personalized Cameo video that was later used in a FanDuel promotional campaign, firmly denying that he ever authorized the gambling company to use his likeness or endorsed any betting-related advertisement.
Harper broke his silence on Monday morning, just hours before participating in the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park, where Philadelphia is hosting this year’s MLB All-Star festivities. The Phillies slugger released a detailed statement on his Instagram story after days of widespread speculation sparked by a report from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Harper Says Video Was Created in Good Faith
According to Harper, the video originated from a Cameo request submitted in November 2024 by an individual identified only as “Bryttanni.” The order, he explained, appeared to be nothing more than a personalized holiday greeting for a fan named Terry Thompson.
Harper said he believed he was recording a private message through Cameo, a platform that allows fans to purchase customized videos from athletes and celebrities.
He emphasized that Cameo maintained separate categories for personal and business requests, and at the time he had no indication that the recording would later be used for commercial advertising.
“Someone identifying themselves only as ‘Bryttanni’ submitted an order through Cameo for a personal holiday video for Terry,” Harper wrote. “I read the provided script in good faith.”
FanDuel Allegedly Added Branding Without Permission
Harper alleged that after he completed the personalized message, FanDuel later added its branding and transformed the recording into a gambling promotion without his knowledge or approval.
The two-time National League MVP stated that he never consented to the video being used for marketing purposes and insisted he has no affiliation with FanDuel.
He said that had he known the true purpose of the request—or that the video would ultimately promote sports betting—he would have declined to record it altogether.
Harper also stressed that he was unaware of any alleged relationship between FanDuel and the video’s recipient or any reported partnership involving Cameo.
Screenshot Shared to Support His Claims
In an effort to support his version of events, Harper shared a screenshot of the original Cameo request he says he received.
The request instructed him to wish Terry and his family a happy Thanksgiving while mentioning that the greeting was from “Bryttanni from FanDuel.” Harper says nothing in the request suggested the video would later become part of a broader advertising campaign or VIP promotional initiative.
According to Harper, he simply followed the script provided for what he believed was a private fan interaction.
Investigation Continues
The controversy remains under investigation as questions continue to surround how the personalized Cameo recording was ultimately used in FanDuel’s promotional materials.
Harper’s statement appears intended to clarify his role before taking center stage during MLB’s All-Star celebrations in Philadelphia, where he represented the hometown Phillies in both the Home Run Derby and All-Star festivities.
While Harper maintains that he acted in good faith and never approved the commercial use of the video, he indicated that legal counsel has advised him to refrain from making additional public comments.
His statement concluded by noting that he has been instructed not to comment further while the matter remains under review, leaving the possibility that additional details could emerge as the investigation progresses.
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