Apparel maker Fanatics has refiled a lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., adding his father, former NFL star Marvin Harrison Sr., and allegations of fraud in addition to breach of contract.
The lawsuit was originally filed in New York Supreme Court this spring, claiming Harrison Jr. failed to fulfill his obligations under a May 2023 agreement he signed with the retailer and estimating damages in the “millions of dollars.”
The amended complaint, filed Friday in the same court, adds that Harrison Sr. “aided and abetted Harrison Jr.’s fraud against Fanatics.” The company says affidavits from both Harrisons dated July 31 reveal 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 Term Sheet in a manner that led Fanatics to reasonably believe that Harrison Jr. was the actual signer when in fact he was not,” the lawsuit states.
ESPN reported that the deal was worth at least $1 million for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other marketing opportunities.
Harrison Jr. was a star receiver at Ohio State when he signed the contract in 2023 and the Cardinals used the fourth overall pick to select him in the NFL draft. The receiver does not have an agent and was represented by his father, Harrison Sr., who is a Hall of Famer after a 13-year career with the Indianapolis Colts.
