Fanatics has updated its lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., now including his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., as a co-defendant. The revised lawsuit, filed with the New York State Supreme Court last Friday, introduces new fraud accusations against Harrison Sr., alleging he helped his son mislead Fanatics during contract talks. Initially filed on May 18, the original suit centered on an alleged breach of contract by Harrison Jr. Fanatics contends that the defendants intentionally misled them into thinking there was a valid agreement involving Harrison Jr., his company The Official Harrison Collection, and Fanatics, with Harrison Jr. as the main signatory.
The updated lawsuit now includes six counts, expanding from the original four, and replaces two initial claims with more specific fraud allegations.
The case hinges on a binding term sheet that Fanatics believed was signed by Harrison Jr. However, affidavits filed on July 31 reveal that it was actually Harrison Sr. who signed the document, not his son. These affidavits, made under oath, led Fanatics to amend its lawsuit to include fraud charges against both Harrisons.
Fanatics asserts that the signature on the binding term sheet closely resembles Harrison Jr.’s signature on his W-9 form for The Official Harrison Collection and on autographs sold through the company’s website. The lawsuit alleges that Harrison Jr., Harrison Sr., and The Official Harrison Collection used the term sheet to advance their own financial interests and gain leverage in negotiations with other potential licensees.
According to the revised suit, when Fanatics sent the binding term sheet to Harrison Sr. in May 2023, it was understood to be an agreement between Harrison Jr. and Fanatics. The lawsuit claims Harrison Sr. did not challenge this understanding, leading Fanatics to assume Harrison Jr. was bound by the agreement. However, in his affidavit from July 26, Harrison Jr. stated, “I never intended to be personally bound by the ‘Binding Term Sheet’ and I am not personally bound by it.”
The revised lawsuit details three agreements either executed or contemplated between Fanatics and The Official Harrison Collection: a promotion and license agreement, the binding term sheet, and an amended and restated promotion and license agreement.
Harrison Jr. maintained in his affidavit that the agreement was solely between his company and Fanatics, not him personally. In mid-August, both parties agreed on potential mediators for the case, with Fanatics’ attorney, Robert Longtin, expected to submit the chosen mediator’s name to the court by September 6.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant repercussions for Harrison Jr.’s career and the broader sports licensing industry.