Fanatics, an online sportswear retailer licensed by many leagues including the NFL, is suing the Arizona Cardinals.‘ First-round pick wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is in breach of contract.
The commodity giant filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court on Saturday night, alleging that Harrison, a first-choice receiver who was taken out of the draft board in April, has refused to fulfill his obligations under a contract he signed in May 2023. . Per ESPN.
Fanatics also said Harrison “publicly maintained” that the contract never existed.
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Drafted fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the NFL Draft, he poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 25, 2024 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
Details of Harrison’s contract were redacted, but sources told ESPN earlier this month that his contract is worth “at least $1 million” and includes autographs, autographed trading cards and game-worn apparel. , said other marketing opportunities were the objective.
But Fanatics claimed that Harrison told him that a “larger competitor” had made an offer to him, and that a competing trading card company had made other offers as well. Meanwhile, Harrison has asked Fanatics to match or exceed other offers allegedly on the table, but Fanatics insists the rookie has never made a competing offer. .
Fanatics said Harrison has “already begun negotiating competitive agreements with other collectible card and sports trading card companies.”
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Harrison’s relationship with Fanatics began during his time at Ohio State, where the company said he was one of “several top student-athletes” signed to multi-year deals. According to the complaint, Harrison signed a limited promotion and licensing agreement in March 2023 that ended in April 2024, just before the NFL Draft.
However, Fanatics claims to have approached Harrison about a “more substantial” long-term contract, with full-scale negotiations scheduled for April 2023, and the two parties signing a contract on May 16, 2023. A binding term sheet is to be agreed. The deal is expected to be finalized in two days.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. lines up for a play during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on November 18, 2023. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Fanatics also claims it paid Harrison in August and October 2023, but that the recipient “refused to meet his obligations” despite requests from the company. They allege that Mr. Harrison “refused or ignored every request.”
Harrison’s father is represented by Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., but Harrison does not have an agent. Mr Harrison allegedly requested a copy of the binding term sheet for his son on April 23, 2024. Fanatics claims it has no contract with the Harrisons after receiving a binding term sheet.
Fanatics also names Official Harrison Collection LLC as a defendant in the lawsuit. Through his LLC website, Harrison sells autographed memorabilia with photos for $99.99 to $149, jerseys for $299.99 and helmets for $549.99.
The site claims to be “the only website where you can purchase autographed Harrison memorabilia” and that “Cardinals memorabilia is coming soon.”
Fanatics estimates damages in the “millions of dollars” and is requesting a jury trial.
Harrison did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Harrison has yet to sign a group licensing agreement with the NFL Players Association. This will allow the players’ association to promote his name, image and likeness to the 85 companies it does business with. That’s why a Cardinals fan still can’t order his Buckeyes product jersey.
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