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Three members of Congress have asked Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to change policies that permit betting-company promotional partnerships after Bryce Harper said a Cameo video he recorded was later used in a FanDuel promotion without his knowledge or approval.
In a letter to MLB and the union, the lawmakers said the current framework can enable “predatory promotion” and asked for answers before the next collective bargaining agreement is finalized. MLB’s current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, 2026, and the letter requested a response by Aug. 24.
Lawmakers target sportsbook-player marketing rules
According to the report, the lawmakers want MLB and the MLBPA to outlaw promotional partnerships with betting companies. They said existing rules allow players to create personalized content that could be used to drive vulnerable fans into debt and addiction.
The letter included five questions covering sportsbook endorsements, fan safety, predatory VIP programs, player education, and personalized sportsbook marketing campaigns.
MLB has betting partnerships with MGM Resorts International, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, and also has a prediction market deal with Polymarket.
Harper says he did not approve FanDuel use of the video
Harper said he would not have recorded the Cameo had he known how it would be used. In a statement cited by Covers, Harper said: “Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video.”
He also said FanDuel added its logo and used the video in a gambling promotion without his knowledge or approval. The original Cameo request allegedly came from a user named “Bryttanni” for a “holiday video for Terry” in November 2024.
What to watch next
The timing matters because the issue has now been raised during labor negotiations. Covers reported that the MLBPA is seeking to remove current restrictions on player promotional opportunities with betting companies in the next CBA.
For readers tracking major sportsbook advertising standards, the next milestone is Aug. 24, the deadline lawmakers set for MLB and the MLBPA to respond. The broader labor deadline follows on Dec. 1, when the current CBA expires.
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Source: As reported by Grant Mitchell.
