Marvin Harrison Jr., the talented football player moving from Ohio State to the Arizona Cardinals, is in a bit of a quandary regarding his NFL merchandise rights. Although he previously inked a deal with Fanatics during his college days, his transition to the NFL has thrown a wrench into his merchandising agreements.
Reports from ESPN reveal that Harrison Jr. has yet to finalize a deal with NFL Players Inc., the entity responsible for managing the collective rights of NFL players for marketing purposes. This contract is pivotal for players like Harrison to have their image and likeness featured in NFL-licensed merchandise, which includes trading cards, jerseys, and other memorabilia. The delay in signing this agreement seems to stem from Harrison’s desire for a more favorable financial arrangement with Fanatics.
His previous contract with Fanatics covered a range of merchandise, including autographs, trading cards, and game-worn items. Last season, his image graced the Topps’ Bowman U line, featuring his autographed stickers in these packs.
Should a new deal be reached with Fanatics, it is anticipated that Topps, now under the Fanatics umbrella, would take charge of producing Harrison’s NFL trading cards and autographs. This could potentially exclude his autographs from being included in Panini’s trading card packs, as Fanatics traditionally aims for exclusive partnerships.
This situation draws parallels with CJ Stroud’s experience, another Ohio State alum turned Houston Texans quarterback. Stroud had signed an exclusive deal with Fanatics while also working with the NFLPA’s marketing arm, enabling Panini to showcase him in their card collections. Nonetheless, the rights to his autograph cards were retained by Fanatics/Topps upon his entry into the NFL.
In the midst of these negotiations and uncertainties, Harrison Jr. is maintaining his connection with fans by personally vending autographed items through his website. From jerseys to helmets and footballs, he continues to engage with his supporters while the official status of his NFL merchandise hangs in the balance.
