Bryce Harper blames FanDuel for Cameo controversy after reading sportsbook's name on camera

Dan Dakich reacts to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert no-showing for her appearance on Dan Patrick's show last week.

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.

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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."

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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."