Three members of Congress are demanding Major League Baseball, its players union and FanDuel answer for how a personalized Bryce Harper video ended up being used as an incentive for a VIP gambler.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D-CT) and U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko, (D-NY) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) “strongly demanded” FanDuel end its VIP program while asking the MLB not to allow sports betting endorsement deals with players. Harper recorded a video for a FanDuel VIP client who later sued the company over his gambling addiction.
“Despite clear harms that VIP programs pose to bettors, MLB and MLBPA continue to disregard fan safety by permitting partnerships with sportsbooks operating these programs,” the three lawmakers wrote to MLB and MLBPA. “We demand an immediate end to this policy.”
The lawmakers also asked MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer and FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski and questions on current practices, with answers expected by Aug. 24.
What Congress asked MLB, FanDuel
The letter to MLB and the MLBPA centers around the relationship between current players and gambling companies and how it can affect bettors, particularly VIP customers.
The MLB and MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire on Dec. 1. The lawmakers asked each entity’s position on allowing MLB players to seek endorsements and partnerships from sportsbooks. They noted that the MLBPA has “publicly announced their intention to seek greater freedom for players to have relationships with gambling companies.”
Blumenthal, Tonko and Foushee asked an additional four questions. Among them:
“How will MLB and the MLBPA guarantee that fan safety and well-being take precedence over revenue from gambling partnerships?”
Congress members sent a total of eight questions to FanDuel about its VIP program. The letter to FanDuel didn’t mince words before listing its questions, stating (via gamblingharm.org):
“FanDuel should not be using reckless and unscrupulous loyalty programs to drive bettors into debt and addiction. As such, we strongly demand FanDuel to end its VIP program for bettors, especially those suffering from a gambling addiction, on its platform.”
Why it matters
The current rules allow MLB players to endorse or partner with sportsbooks as long as they do not encourage betting on baseball specifically. However, FanDuel’s situation with Harper muddies the waters, though he made clear he would not have made the video if he knew the intended use.
Blumenthal, Tonko and Foushee are pointing out the issues that can arise between sportsbooks and MLB, which impact VIP-level bettors. That could impact CBA negotiations in December.
