Marvin Harrison Jr., the standout Ohio State alum recently drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, is currently embroiled in a whirlwind of uncertainty surrounding the ownership of his NFL-related merchandising rights as he steps onto the professional football stage. Despite having inked a multi-year deal with Fanatics prior to his senior year at Ohio State, the status of his professional merchandising rights now hangs in the balance.
According to ESPN, Harrison has yet to finalize an agreement with NFL Players Inc., the entity responsible for managing the collective marketing rights of NFL players. This pivotal deal is essential for players looking to have their likeness featured in NFL-licensed products, including trading cards and team apparel. The delay in signing this agreement appears to stem from Harrison’s desire to secure a more advantageous financial arrangement as he renegotiates his contract with Fanatics.
In his previous contract with Fanatics, Harrison’s rights encompassed a range of merchandise categories, from autographs to trading cards emblazoned with his image, to even game-worn attire. During the previous season, Harrison was notably featured in Topps’ Bowman U series, with his autograph stickers gracing these card packs.
Should Harrison reach a new accord with Fanatics, it is anticipated that Topps, which now falls under the Fanatics umbrella, would take the reins in producing his NFL trading cards and autographs. This potential alliance might result in his autographs being exclusively tied to Fanatics’ products, potentially excluding Panini, a renowned trading card manufacturer, from featuring his autographed cards, as Fanatics typically secures exclusive deals in such instances.
This predicament echoes the experience of CJ Stroud, another former Ohio State football standout turned Houston Texans quarterback. Stroud, too, entered into an exclusive partnership with Fanatics while also striking a deal with the NFLPA’s marketing arm. This arrangement permitted Panini to showcase Stroud in their card collections, yet only Fanatics and Topps held the rights to his autograph cards upon his NFL debut.
In the midst of these negotiations, Harrison has maintained a direct line to his loyal fanbase by offering autographed merchandise through his personal website. Items such as jerseys, helmets, and footballs are available for purchase, serving as a tangible connection between the player and his supporters, even amidst the unresolved status of his official NFL merchandising endorsements.
