By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
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| Arrington Ends Group Licensing
Rights Holdout, Joins NFLPA |
Redskins LB LaVar Arrington has quietly ended the holdout of his group licensing rights and has agreed to give those rights to the NFLPA, a source said. Arrington was the only current NFL player who did not sign the group licensing agreement, which allows Players Inc, the NFLPA's marketing arm, to make deals using his name, number, voice and image in licensed deals involving six or more NFL players. His refusal to sign over the rights has been the subject of controversy since '00 when Arrington was the No. 2 pick in that year's NFL Draft. Players Inc had sent cease and desist letters to both Nike and adidas America in '00 demanding the removal of all Arrington jerseys from retail. In '01, Arrington filed a lawsuit against three trading card companies for producing cards bearing his likeness without his permission. It was not clear why Arrington agreed to sign the licensing deal. His agents Carl and Kevin Poston did not return phone inquiries, and a Players Inc spokesperson would not comment.
