Ex-Ohio State WR, Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. sued by Fanatics for alleged breach of contract

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Former Ohio State wide receiver and Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is involved in a lawsuit filed by Fanatics, a manufacturer and retailer of officially licensed sportswear, for allegedly breaching a contract signed with the company in May 2023, according to an ESPN report. Fanatics filed the lawsuit was filed Saturday night in a New York Supreme Court.

The claimed financial agreement is worth more than $1 million in exchange for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other marketing opportunities, per the report. Fanatics said in the lawsuit that Harrison has refused to fulfill the obligations and denies the agreement exists, according to ESPN reporting. 

Harrison has not signed a preliminary licensing agreement with the NFL Players Association, which is the standard practice for prospect draftees. The agreement allows for Harrison's name and likeness to be monetized. Arizona Cardinals jerseys with his name are still not available for purchase and he cannot be featured in any NFL-licensed video game, including the "Madden NFL" franchise.

The lawsuit also cites "The Official Harrison Collection LLC" as a defendant, according to the report. The collection's website has signed memorabilia, including photos, Ohio State helmets and jerseys, available for purchase. The top of the website says, "Cardinals memorabilia coming soon" and that it is "the ONLY website to purchase signed memorabilia."

The Arizona Cardinals selected Harrison with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft back in April. He skipped workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and the Ohio State Pro Day. 

Harrison won the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver in college football during his final season at Ohio State. The two-time unanimous All-American surpassed 1,200 yards receiving and hauled in 14 touchdowns in each of his last two years with the Buckeyes. 

Harrison had a breakout sophomore season at Ohio State when he finished sixth nationally in receiving yards with 1,263. His 16.4 yards per catch ranked most among all FBS players with at least 70 receptions. Harrison helped the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff during the 2022 season. He entered the 2023 campaign considered to be the best wide receiver in college football and delivered on those expectations. Harrison caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, coming in fourth in the voting.

Harrison ended his college career with 150 receptions for 2,495 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding four carries for 58 yards and another score. Harrison rated as a four-star recruit coming out of Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's Prep School in the 2021 class. He ranked as the No. 21 wide receiver and No. 160 overall prospect nationally in the cycle. 

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Harrison is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who played 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts from 1996-2008.