Fanatics files lawsuit against Marvin Harrison Jr.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — Fanatics filed a lawsuit Saturday against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for breaching a contract with the sports apparel and collectibles company from May 2023.

In the 17-page lawsuit, which was filed in the New York Supreme Court and obtained by The Athletic, Fanatics said Harrison did not fulfill his contractual obligations and the receiver later said a deal with the company did not exist. Fanatics requested a jury trial, estimating potential damages in the "millions of dollars."

According to the complaint, Fanatics reached a multiyear agreement with Harrison in 2023 while he was in college at Ohio State. Initially, Fanatics entered a limited promotion and license agreement with Harrison that was non-exclusive and set to end in April 2024, just before the NFL Draft.

Recognizing Harrison's potential, Fanatics initiated talks for a longer deal with Harrison, who was represented by his father, Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, Sr. Per court documents, after "extensive negotiations" the parties finalized a binding term sheet on May 16, 2023. Harrison signed the agreement that day and Fanatics representatives signed it two days later. Details of the agreement are redacted, but the suit described Harrison's compensation as "significant." Details of Harrison's obligations under the agreement also are redacted.

Per the suit, Fanatics paid Harrison in August and October 2023, but he did not fulfill his contractual obligations. Fanatics said Harrison ignored or rejected the company's attempts to get him to do so and that the receiver later publicly rejected the existence of an agreement with Fanatics.

According to the complaint, Harrison asserted other trading card companies made him competing offers and demanded Fanatics meet or exceed those offers. When Fanatics asked to see the competing offers, Harrison refused. Fanatics also said in the suit that Harrison or his representatives disclosed confidential information about the agreement to ESPN in an attempt to "mislead the public."

On April 23, days before the NFL Draft, Fanatics said Marvin Harrison, Sr. requested a copy of the binding term sheet from Fanatics on his son's behalf. Per the suit, when Fanatics provided it and asked for a conversation, Marvin Harrison Sr. informed the company that they did not have a deal. Fanatics said additional attempts to find a resolution were unsuccessful.

After a stellar career at Ohio State, Harrison was considered one of the best wide receivers to enter the NFL Draft in years. The Cardinals selected him with the No. 4 pick, starting what many expect will be a successful pro career. Harrison, however, has yet to sign the NFL Players Association's group licensing agreement, which would allow the union to market his name, image and likeness.

Required reading

• Marvin Harrison Jr. NFL gear not available until Cardinals WR signs licensing contract with NFLPA
• Cardinals listen to offers but take Marvin Harrison Jr., sticking with perhaps the draft's best prospect

(Photo: Adam Cairns / USA Today)