Pat McAfee says ‘I need Marvin Harrison Jr. in Madden’ and claims Fanatics is behind Cardinals WR licensing issue

PAT McAfee gave insight into rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.’s decision to resist signing an NFLPA licensing agreement.

It was first reported the day before Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft that he had not yet signed the aforementioned deal.

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In the report, it was explained that the deal “would allow his name and image to be monetized after he is drafted tonight and before his NFL contract is signed,” according to ESPN. Adam Schefter.

As such, fans have not yet been able to purchase a Harrison Jr. jersey.

This also means that your image cannot yet be used in video games, such as Madden.

Addressing the ongoing issue on his show, former All-Pro punter McAfee began by commenting, “We need Marvin Harrison Jr. on Madden, especially now that I’m back on Madden.”

He went on to expound on what he had heard on the matter from sources in Harrison Jr. and his father Sr.’s fields.

“This is not about the NFLPA,” McAfee clarified.

“Marvin Harrison Jr. will be part of the NFLPA when the time comes.”

Instead, Harrison Jr.’s alleged “feud” is with sportswear retailer Fanatics, which specializes in selling merchandise and collectibles for the NFL, MLB, NBA and many more.

McAfee explained that his understanding was that Harrison Jr. had struck a deal with Fanatics when he was a college sophomore at Ohio State, as is often the case with emerging stars.

However, the deal in question was reportedly for four years, meaning it would last through his first two seasons in the NFL.

Harrison Jr. is said to be seeking a deal more representative of his current standing as a professional.

McAfee added that “this will be resolved, I hope.

“It will be resolved and I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as people are making it out to be.”

That being said, McAfee also said that other student-athletes are beginning to question their decisions to sign the aforementioned agreement with Fanatics.

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“We need people regulating, monitoring the [NIL] contracts that are being signed, where these guys are getting real contracts at their real value”, he commented.

In typical McAfee fashion, he ended the segment in a light-hearted manner, explaining that he remained hopeful that a deal could be finalized as he wanted an autographed Harrison Jr. card.

Harrison Jr. enters State Farm Stadium as one of the most highly praised players in recent years.

The son of an NFL Hall of Famer who won Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison Jr.

He joins a Cardinals offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray, who finished 24th in the league last season in scoring.

They also ranked 26th in passing yards, 19th in total yards and fourth in rushing yards.

The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West with a 4-13 record in what was head coach Jonathan Gannon’s first season at the helm since leaving the Philadelphia Eagles.

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