Cardinals fans keen to show support for Arizona’s No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. by purchasing apparel with the wide receiver’s name are currently out of luck. And they won’t be able to do so until Harrison signs a licensing contract with the NFL Players’ Association.
Fanatics and other NFL-approved retailers cannot offer his merchandise until the rookie signs his licensing contract, which would allow his name, number, likeness and other related assets to be monetized. According to a notice on the Fanatics’ website, products will be immediately available once Harrison signs the contract.
Harrison, who does not have an agent, didn’t say whether he would sign the agreement when asked Friday.
“I’ll continue to talk to my team. We’ll do what’s best for me moving forward,” he told reporters. “Just take it one day at a time. I just got drafted so I’m trying to enjoy the moment and be happy while I can at the moment.”
Harrison — the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Indianapolis Colts great, Marvin Harrison Sr. — posted back-to-back 1,200-yard, 14-touchdown seasons during his final two years at Ohio State and was widely considered the top receiver prospect in this year’s class. On Thursday, he was selected behind three quarterbacks: No. 1 pick Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (No. 2 to the Washington Commanders) and Drake Maye (No. 3 to the New England Patriots).
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It is not the first time a player has not immediately signed a licensing contract. In one of the most notable cases, former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington — selected by Washington second overall in the 2000 NFL Draft — didn’t sign his licensing agreement until several seasons into his career, which lasted through the 2006 season.
A player is not required to sign the contract, but if he doesn’t, not only is he unable to have a jersey sold, but he also is not able to have his likeness on video games, bobbleheads or other collectibles.
Most players who sign receive a base royalty check for around $17,000 each season, according to a source within the NFLPA familiar with player earning figures. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter. However, players with top-selling merchandise, such as Patrick Mahomes, receive significantly larger royalty checks, with the figures varying year to year.
Williams, the No. 1 pick, broke the Fanatics record for merchandise sales on draft night for any selection across sports, beating the previous record set by basketball star Caitlin Clark, Fanatics said. The WNBA’s Indiana Fever drafted Clark No. 1 earlier this month, and less than two days later, her jerseys sold out on the official WNBA shop run by Fanatics.
Williams’ jersey was available for purchase across Fanatics sites, including Fanatics, the NFL Shop and the Bears online store.
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(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
