An OutKick opinion column, prompted by a Philadelphia Inquirer report, criticises the sports-betting firm FanDuel for allegedly using a personalised video message from Phillies star Bryce Harper to retain a customer who was a gambling addict. The piece argues the episode exposes the greed of the sportsbooks, Major League Baseball and its players' union, and matters because it shows how star players are being deployed as marketing tools to keep vulnerable people gambling.

According to the report, customer Terry Thompson wagered around $18.5 million on FanDuel and lost roughly $1.5 million, yet rather than intervening, the firm gave him VIP treatment, including champagne and Super Bowl tickets, plus the Harper video sent by his VIP manager. The author ties this to current MLB collective bargaining negotiations, accusing the players' union of hypocrisy for seeking a larger share of sportsbook revenue and lucrative betting endorsements while complaining about bettor harassment, staying silent on the targeting of addicts, and allegedly pushing for a lenient 15-day minor-league "rehab assignment" for players caught illegally betting on baseball.