Congress asks MLB to take action after Bryce Harper betting video

Key Points:

• Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee have called on Major League Baseball (MLB) and its players' union to ban promotional deals with betting operators, citing concerns over predatory marketing practices targeting vulnerable fans.
• The lawmakers' letter references a November 2024 incident where FanDuel sent a personalized video from Phillies star Bryce Harper to a VIP gambler, who later sued the sportsbook alleging exploitation of his gambling addiction; Harper denies knowledge of the video's usage.
• Current MLB rules permit players to engage in betting promotions as long as they do not use their name, number, image, or likeness to directly promote betting on baseball games, but Congress is urging MLB and the MLB Players Association to address these policies amid ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
• The MLB Players Association is reportedly considering removing restrictions on betting-related promotions in the new CBA, raising further concerns from lawmakers about the potential impact on fan gambling addiction.
• The letter demands answers to five questions from MLB and the union by August 24, but both organizations declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.