Fanatics files suit against Cards' Harrison for alleged breach of contract

Fanatics filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court on Saturday against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for alleged breach of contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The merchandise company states the two sides signed an agreement last May while he was at Ohio State, but Harrison's team says no deal was signed, Schefter adds.

The alleged deal is worth more than $1 million and allows Fanatics to sell autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities, a source told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.

The lawsuit states that Harrison told Fanatics a "larger competitor" and other companies had made "competing offers," and he demanded that Fanatics exceed those offers, per Weinfuss. However, the merchandise company claims Harrison has yet to detail what the other offers are.

His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., who allegedly represented Harrison Jr. during the initial Fanatics deal last year, reportedly asked Fanatics for a copy of the contract. Once Harrison Sr. received a copy of the deal, Fanatics claims the Harrisons told them no deal was ever inked, according to Weinfuss.

Harrison has yet to sign the NFLPA licensing deal, preventing Fanatics from selling his Cardinals jersey and other companies from using his name, image, and likeness. He hasn't signed the NFLPA deal because he wants to renegotiate the Fanatics contract that was allegedly signed last year, Weinfuss reports.

The 21-year-old sells signed memorabilia and his Ohio State jersey, among other items, on his personal website. "The Official Harrison Collection LLC" was also reportedly listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, and the website claims it's the only place Harrison memorabilia can be purchased, per Weinfuss.

Arizona selected Harrison with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the top wideout off the board and the highest wide receiver selected since Amari Cooper in 2015.