How Bryce Harper got involved in FanDuel video for gambler who lost millions to go into financial ruin
Terry Thompson was in the depths of gambling addiction when he received a phone alert and Bryce Harper was on the other end.As revealed in an eye-raising story from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Thompson, a sports fan who gambled $18.5 million with FanDuel and lost nearly $2 million to fall into financial ruin, earned VIP status and exclusive perks from champagne to Super Bowl tickets — and even a call from the Phillies’ star first baseman.That call from Harper has raised eyebrows due to the relationships between sportsbooks and players/leagues, and Thompson’s financial plight.Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings with the help of the Public Health Advocacy Institute, claiming they “intentionally” and “defectively” designed their apps to be “relentless, always-on addiction-amplifying machine.” Harper is not included in the lawsuit.A source told The Post that Harper is not affiliated with FanDuel Sportsbook and that the VIP host went to the content-creation company Cameo to have this video made for the underwater betting client.It is unclear whether this is commonplace in the industry or has happened previously with other athletes.With Cameo, fans can pay celebrities for personalized messages, and the company also offers business-to-business services involving talent.“FanDuel is committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers,” FanDuel told The Post in a statement.“Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives.”In the clip, Harper wishes Thompson well.“Hey Terry, what’s up, brother, your host Bryttanni from FanDuel wanted to make sure your Thanksgiving was extra special,” Harper said in the video with branded FanDuel watermarks.“I just wanted to hop on here and wish you...