Fanatics has filed a lawsuit against recently drafted Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. contending he has refused to fulfill any obligations from a year-old contract.
Fanatics filed the suit against the player in New York state court Saturday, according to the complaint and the summons filed with the court system. The May 18 filing is notable because Fanatics says it is the one-year anniversary since Harrison, Jr. signed a binding term sheet with the collectibles giant.
Specifics of the contract and obligations between Harrison Jr. and Fanatics are redacted in the filings. However, Fanatics says the damages caused by Harrison are “estimated to be millions of dollars,” according to the filing.
Based on information in the filings, Fanatics and Harrison Jr., then playing for Ohio State, had an initial short-term agreement signed in March of last year, which the company then asked to expand to a longer-term deal. Fanatics says the contract under contention was signed after negotiations with the player and Marvin Harrison Sr., a former NFL player himself who assisted his son in the deal. Fanatics indicates it has made at least two payments to Harrison Jr. since then, but the player hasn’t fulfilled any of his side of the bargain.
“Fanatics holds incredible partnerships with more than 3,000 athletes, including many of top rookies who entered the NFL, MLB and NBA over the last two years,” the company said in a statement. “Fanatics and Marvin Harrison Jr. agreed to a similarly lucrative deal with phenomenal incentives as he begins his NFL career, but he has publicly rejected the deal he signed, and has instead tried to pressure Fanatics into paying him vastly more money. … this is the first time we’ve encountered a situation like this and Fanatics, unfortunately, had no other option than formal litigation for the enforcement of its contractual rights. Even so, it is still our preference that Marvin Harrison Jr. honors his contract, but if he will not, Fanatics will ask the court to address his refusal.”
The complaint cites reporting by ESPN television personality Pat McAfee on May 1 that Harrison Jr. told him he never wanted a trading card deal with Fanatics and never accepted a deal. The company also contends Harrison Jr. told Fanatics he is negotiating with other collectibles or sports card companies.
Also listed as a defendant in the suit with Harrison Jr. is The Official Harrison Collection, LLC. The collection has a website which is selling Harrison memorabilia saying it is the only outlet for signed Harrison items. Among items listed for sale are a signed end zone pylon for $130, a red jersey for $300 as well as items signed by his father.
Representatives for Harrison couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
