Why you still can't buy an Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr. jersey as NFL season nears
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Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Cardinals. Photo: Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
Sports merchandise company Fanatics is accusing Cardinals first-round draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and his father of fraud in a complicated licensing lawsuit that's cast a shadow over the 22-year-old's NFL debut next month.
Why it matters: Cardinals fans haven't been able to purchase the fourth overall pick's jersey or other official merchandise because the NFL Player's Association has ordered the NFL, the Cardinals and Fanatics not to sell his gear at Harrison's request, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in early August.
Catch up quick: The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court in May, centers on a contract Harrison Jr. seemingly agreed to in May 2023 while playing for Ohio State requiring him to provide autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other items to Fanatics in exchange for at least $1 million, per ESPN.
- In court documents, Fanatics alleges Harrison Jr. did not fulfill his obligations under the contract and that the wide receiver is now claiming the contract is not binding and that his father signed it, not him.
The latest: Fanatics amended its lawsuit last week to include Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr. as a defendant and add the fraud allegations. Harrison Sr. served as a quasi-agent for his son during his college years, per court documents.
- The company says Harrison Sr.'s signature was meant to mimic Harrison Jr.'s in an attempt to mislead Fanatics and allow the father-son duo to leverage the deal to court offers from Fanatics' competitors.
Threat level: If found guilty, the duo could face significant civil penalties and reputational harm.
The intrigue: Fanatics, in court documents, said the lawsuit was initially filed to combat the Harrisons' "brazen contractual breaches."
- "But recent events have revealed something far more troubling: [The Harrisons] have perpetrated a fraud on Fanatics through a corporate shell game," the company wrote in its amended complaint.
What they're saying: Not much. The Harrisons did not respond to a request for comment through Marvin Jr.'s company, The Official Harrison Collection.
- In a July court filing, Harrison Jr. said the agreement with Fanatics was made with his company, of which his father is an authorized representative, and never obligated him to do anything personally.
What we're watching: The NFL and Cardinals team shops are both operated by Fanatics, which is likely why neither side is currently selling Harrison Jr.'s jerseys.
Between the lines: Harrison Jr. has also not signed the NFL Player's Association group licensing agreement, which would allow NFL partner companies like Nike to use his name, image and likeness.
- "I'll continue to talk to my team, and we'll do what's best for me moving forward," he told reporters at his introductory press conference in Arizona in April.