Eight nights ago, Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. held a jersey with his name on it. But no one can buy a jersey with his name on it since he hasn’t signed the NFLPA’s joint licensing agreement.
John Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports that although Harrison did not sign the NFLPA licensing agreement, he has an existing deal with Fanaticsdistributor of NFL player t-shirts.
According to the report, Harrison signed the contract with Fanatics ahead of the 2023 season. The deal is worth more than $1 million and covers autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other marketing opportunities. Harrison is reportedly trying to use his reluctance to sign the NFLPA’s standard licensing agreement as leverage to make a new deal with Fanatics.
Although union membership is mandatory, no player is required to sign the NFLPA licensing agreement. Former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington is one of the most prominent examples of a persistent refusal to sign — as evidenced by his chronic absence from the Madden game.