Fanatics Reportedly Suing Cardinals' WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Over Strange Contract Dispute

Each year when rookie players make it to the NFL, one of the best parts for them is to see a jersey with their name on it. Whether it's just them or their family wearing the jersey or it's being sold all over the place, it's a special moment. Most sign the NFL Players Association group licensing agreement so the union is able to market the name, likeness, and image to different companies. But for Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., it has been a strange start.

He has yet to sign the group licensing agreement and now finds himself in a legal battle with the apparel company Fanatics. According to Josh Weinfuss and Adam Schefter of ESPN, Fanatics has filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court against Harrison Jr. for breach of contract. In the suit, Fanatics claims that Harrison Jr. breached a contract that he signed in May 2023.

The company claims that Harrison Jr. reportedly refused to fulfill his obligations in the deal. Harrison Jr. has publically claimed that the contract does not exist. ESPN has reported that the contract was for "autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities."

According to ESPN, the suit lists "The Official Harrison Collection LLC" as a defendant. Harrison Jr. has been selling signed memorabilia through The Official Harrison Collection's website, which states that it's the only website where fans can purchase signed items by Harrison Jr.

Fanatics has reportedly claimed in the suit that Harrison Jr. never provided them with competing offers that he got despite him telling them that they needed to meet or exceed other offers.

The company is hopeful that the suit ends with Harrison Jr. fulfilling the obligations that he originally agreed upon. They have reportedly requested a jury trial and estimated damages are in the "millions of dollars" range. Harrison Jr. doesn't have an agent and has been represented by his father, Marvin Harrison Sr.

Harrison Jr. was drafted No. 4 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2024 NFL Draft and is seen by many as the best wide receiver in the draft class. He has all the potential to become one of the next stars in the NFL, so this isn't a great start to his career.

While deals like this can be tricky to figure out, they are also a distraction for the player. It remains to be seen what will happen, but the hope is that it gets resolved sooner rather than later.

Correction 5/20/24, 9:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated to correct the name of the NFL Players Association.