Arizona Cardinals' Rookie Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Sued by Fanatics Over Unfulfilled NIL Deal

Detroit, MI, USA, Michigan, USA United States of America
Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is being sued by Fanatics for breaching a contract worth over $1 million.
Harrison has refused to fulfill his obligations under the deal and publicly denied its existence. Fanatics alleges he has negotiated competing agreements with other companies.
The contract, signed while Harrison was still in college at Ohio State, included provisions for autographs, trading cards, game-worn apparel, and marketing opportunities.
The lack of an NFLPA licensing agreement is causing delays in the production and sale of Harrison's official Cardinals jersey.
This legal dispute highlights potential pitfalls of NIL deals for college athletes.
Arizona Cardinals' Rookie Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Sued by Fanatics Over Unfulfilled NIL Deal

Marvin Harrison Jr., the rookie wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with sports merchandise company Fanatics. According to multiple reports, Fanatics filed a lawsuit against Harrison on May 18, 2024, alleging that he breached a contract worth over $1 million.

The contract in question was reportedly signed last May while Harrison was still playing college football at Ohio State. The agreement included provisions for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities. However, Harrison has refused to fulfill his obligations under the deal and publicly denied its existence.

Fanatics claims that Harrison has negotiated competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies. The company also alleges that Marvin Harrison Sr., who acts as his son's agent, requested a copy of the binding term sheet from Fanatics but later informed them they did not have a deal.

Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Harrison was selected fourth overall by the Cardinals in this year's NFL Draft. He has yet to sign an official NFLPA licensing agreement, which would allow his name, image, and likeness to be used for merchandise sales and other commercial opportunities.

The lack of a licensing agreement is causing delays in the production and sale of Harrison's official Cardinals jersey. Fans eager to support their new wide receiver will have to wait until the situation is resolved before they can purchase his gear.

This legal dispute highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes. As more states adopt NIL legislation, it is essential that athletes and their representatives carefully consider the terms of any agreements to avoid potential conflicts or disputes.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there any counterclaims from Harrison or his representatives?
  • Has Harrison publicly acknowledged the lawsuit in his own words?
  • Is the contract amount reported accurately?

Sources

77%

  • Unique Points
    • Fanatics filed a lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. on Saturday night in New York Supreme Court for breaching a contract.
    • Harrison has refused to fulfill his obligations to the deal and publicly asserted that the contract does not exist.
    • The deal was for at least $1 million and involved autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities.
    • Fanatics claims Harrison has negotiated competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies.
    • Marvin Harrison Sr. requested a copy of the binding term sheet from Fanatics but told the company they do not have a deal with them.
  • Accuracy
    • Marvin Harrison has refused to fulfill his obligations to the deal and publicly asserted that the contract does not exist.
    • The deal was for at least $1 million and involved autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities.
    • Fanatics claims Harrison has negotiated competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies.
  • Deception (5%)
    The article reports on a lawsuit filed by Fanatics against Marvin Harrison Jr. for breaching a contract. The authors quote from the lawsuit and provide details about the financial agreement between Harrison and Fanatics, but they do not disclose their own sources or provide any context about the nature of the contract or why it is significant that Harrison has allegedly breached it. This selective reporting creates an impression of deception by withholding important information from readers. Additionally, the authors use sensational language in their headline and throughout the article to generate interest and clicks, further contributing to a potential sense of deception.
    • Fanatics maintains in the suit that Harrison has already begun negotiating competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies.
    • The suit also sites The Official Harrison Collection LLC as a defendant.
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states 'Fanatics maintains in the suit that Harrison has already begun negotiating competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies.' This statement implies that because Fanatics is making this claim in a lawsuit, it must be true. However, the article does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
    • Fanatics maintains in the suit that Harrison has already begun negotiating competing agreements with other collectible or sports trading card companies.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Marvin Harrison Jr. is involved in a lawsuit filed by Fanatics on April 25, 2024, for breaching a contract.
    • "The Official Harrison Collection LLC" is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, which is a website selling signed gear from Marvin Harrison Jr.
    • Marvin Harrison has reportedly ignored all requests from Fanatics to fulfill his obligations under the contract.
    • Marvin Harrison Sr., who acts as his son’s agent, asked for Fanatics’ contract right before the NFL draft and later told them they no longer had a deal.
  • Accuracy
    • Marvin Harrison Jr. has reportedly ignored all requests from Fanatics to fulfill his obligations under the contract.
    • Fanatics states that Harrison claimed other companies made better offers to him and wanted Fanatics to meet or surpass those offers but never shared specific details.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

77%

  • Unique Points
    • Marvin Harrison Jr. skipped workouts at the scouting combine and Ohio State Pro Day to prepare for the NFL season.
    • Marvin Harrison Jr. has not signed a preliminary licensing agreement with the NFL Players Association.
    • It's possible Marvin Harrison Jr. will never sign an official NFLPA licensing deal.
  • Accuracy
    • Marvin Harrison Sr. requested a copy of the binding term sheet from Fanatics but told the company they do not have a deal with them.
  • Deception (10%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Fanatics filed a lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for breaching a contract in May 2023.
    • Marvin Harrison Sr. requested a copy of the binding term sheet from Fanatics on Harrison’s behalf and later informed them they did not have a deal.
  • Accuracy
    • Fanatics filed a lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. for breaching a contract.
    • The parties reached a multiyear agreement with redacted compensation and obligations for Harrison.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication