FanDuel's video of Bryce Harper losing gambler reinforces greed for MLB, sports books and union
A disturbing new report from the Philadelphia Inquirer reveals that FanDuel used a personal video from Phillies slugger Bryce Harper to target an online gambling addiction.
Sent directly to customer Terry Thompson by his FanDuel VIP manager, “Bryttanni,” the video shows Harper wishing the gambler a happy Thanksgiving, greeting his young son, and thanking him for his years of support.
Thompson was no ordinary fan; was a problem gambler who bet $18.5 million on FanDuel and lost $1.5 million. Instead of cutting him, FanDuel gave Thompson the VIP treatment, showering him with champagne and Super Bowl tickets while arming Harper, the two-time NL MVP.
MLB PLAYERS UNION MAKES BETTING PROPOSALS FOR NON-SCHEDULED GAMES IN PARTIAL CONTACT DISCUSSIONS
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bryce Harper throws a ball toward first base vs. Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Wisconsin. (Photos by Jeff Hanisch-Imagn)
This grim revelation takes us back to the recent Major League Baseball Players Association, ridiculous collective bargaining proposals. Last month, I pointed out the hypocrisy of the union in demanding a bigger share of sportsbook revenue while trying to protect itself from the realities of the gambling market.
During those CBA negotiations, the union sought clarity on how players could obtain lucrative endorsement deals with sportsbooks. Now we're seeing exactly what that corporate relationship looks like in practice: using the most recognizable sports players as the ultimate tools to extract millions from desperate people.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred presented the Allan H. Selling Award for Philanthropic Excellence during the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. (Photos by Orlando Ramirez-Imagn)
The MLBPA has also complained about players facing abuse from angry bettors, even pushing to ban player props. Yet they remain silent when their multi-billion dollar sportsbook colleagues identify and manipulate real addicts, using stardom to lure a vulnerable father deeper into the gambling den.
MLB OWNERS BACK OFF INITIAL PROPOSAL FOR CBA PLAYERS AS LOCKDOWN PAGE CLOSES AFTER 2026 SEASON.
Then there is the perfect baseball joke of “integrity”. The union allegedly wants a mild 15-day minor league “assignment” for players caught illegally betting on baseball. It turns out that the union wants to be linked to the law breakers and the league's legal betting partners are exploiting everyday fans behind the scenes.
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper stands in the on-deck circle before an at-bat against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. (Photos by Geoff Burke-Imagn)
Harper's video exposes the hypocrisy of this partnership between sports books and leagues and players. All-Stars are used in dangerous marketing schemes, proving that the union is too busy chasing betting dollars to actually protect the reputation of its players or the well-being of fans.
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MLB and the union like to stick “commitment games” logos on every broadcast to pretend they care about human costs. But this video shows that the whole ecosystem is a fake, greedy mess. It's time for baseball to decide what's more important: money or fans.
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