Fanatics lawsuit accuses Marvin Harrison Jr, Marvin Harrison Sr of fraud
The refiled suit alleges that Marvin Harrison Sr “aided and abetted” his son in misleading the apparel company over a $1m marketing deal
Apparel manufacturer Fanatics has refiled its lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., adding his father, former NFL star Marvin Harrison Sr., and fraud allegations in addition to breach of contract.
The original lawsuit, filed in New York supreme court this spring, claimed Harrison Jr. did not fulfill his obligations from a May 2023 deal he signed with the retailer and estimated the damage in “millions of dollars.”
The amended lawsuit – filed Friday in the same court – includes an allegation that Harrison Sr. “aided and abetted Harrison Jr.’s fraud on Fanatics.”
According to Fanatics, affidavits from both Harrisons on July 31 revealed that it was actually Harrison Sr. who signed the contract with Fanatics, acting on behalf of the Harrison Collection.
“Harrison Sr. intentionally signed the Binding Terms Sheet in such a manner in order to lead Fanatics to reasonably believe that Harrison Jr. was the true signatory when in fact he was not,” the suit states.
ESPN reported that the deal was for at least $1 million for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities.
Harrison Jr., a star receiver at Ohio State when he signed the deal in 2023, was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Harrison Jr. does not have an agent and has been represented by his father, Harrison Sr., a Hall of Famer after a 13-year career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The amended lawsuit includes details of Harrison Jr.'s alleged failure to fulfill his obligations under the contract, including failing to provide autographed merchandise, participate in marketing activities, and make personal appearances.
Fanatics is seeking damages in excess of $1 million, as well as an injunction to prevent Harrison Jr. and Harrison Sr. from further breaches of the contract.
The original lawsuit, filed in New York supreme court this spring, claimed Harrison Jr. did not fulfill his obligations from a May 2023 deal he signed with the retailer and estimated the damage in “millions of dollars.”
The amended lawsuit – filed Friday in the same court – includes an allegation that Harrison Sr. “aided and abetted Harrison Jr.’s fraud on Fanatics.”
According to Fanatics, affidavits from both Harrisons on July 31 revealed that it was actually Harrison Sr. who signed the contract with Fanatics, acting on behalf of the Harrison Collection.
“Harrison Sr. intentionally signed the Binding Terms Sheet in such a manner in order to lead Fanatics to reasonably believe that Harrison Jr. was the true signatory when in fact he was not,” the suit states.
ESPN reported that the deal was for at least $1 million for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel, and other marketing opportunities.
Harrison Jr., a star receiver at Ohio State when he signed the deal in 2023, was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Harrison Jr. does not have an agent and has been represented by his father, Harrison Sr., a Hall of Famer after a 13-year career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The amended lawsuit includes details of Harrison Jr.'s alleged failure to fulfill his obligations under the contract, including failing to provide autographed merchandise, participate in marketing activities, and make personal appearances.
Fanatics is seeking damages in excess of $1 million, as well as an injunction to prevent Harrison Jr. and Harrison Sr. from further breaches of the contract.