Superstar wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft last week, but in a somewhat shocking twist, fans are still unable to buy his jersey and might not be able to play with him in the upcoming edition of the Madden video game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has yet to sign his NFL Players Association (NFLPA) licensing deal. Until that happens, fans will not be able to purchase his jersey and he will not appear in the Madden video game. According to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, the issue all comes down to a deal that Harrison signed with Fanatics — which operates the official NFL Shop — ahead of his junior season at Ohio State.
“That deal, which Harrison signed before his last season at Ohio State, is worth more than $1 million and is for autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other marketing opportunities, the source said,” wrote Weinfuss. “However, Harrison is trying to renegotiate the deal for more money and is trying to use the fact that he has not yet signed the group licensing agreement as leverage, the source added.”
Obviously, this is a pretty shocking move from Harrison that we have not seen from a rookie before, and it’s led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Curious to know, if this becomes a trend among players…what would (if anything) it mean for the NFLPA/NFL n general? Hurt their $$ & limit their power/effectiveness; or hurts the NFL bc they cant sell player merch?? Something else?
— PFTPMPosse 🇺🇦⭐️ (@PFTPMPosse) May 4, 2024
People don’t understand how hard it is to honor your signed contract after you get the money. It is tough!!!!
— cgunner (@trugunner13) May 3, 2024
He’s going to be a headache.
— TellerofTruths (@TellerofThe) May 4, 2024
Fanatics rearing their ugly head again https://t.co/8ctPpuPE2u
— Alan Nadeau III #RIPUcheNwaneri (@alannadeau2016) May 3, 2024
We’ll have to see whether or not this issue is ultimately resolved.
[ESPN]
