HARRISBURG - A sports agent and his company have brought a lawsuit against a sports memorabilia company in York and its owner, claiming they violated the exclusive marketing agreement he has with an NFL player.
Clarity Sports International LLC in Potomac, Maryland, and its majority owner Jason Bernstein brought a claim against Defendants Redland Sports and its owner, Gerry Ochs in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Feb. 22.
Bernstein is an agent who represents several NFL players, including Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Under a National Football League Players’ Association Standard Representation Agreement (SRA) dated Dec. 23, 2016, Berstein was contracted to "represent, advise, counsel and assist" Golladay with his NFL playing contracts, the suit says.
In addition to the SRA, Golladay signed an Endorsement and Marketing Agreement with Clarity Sports International, the suit says.
In January, Redland Sports arranged for Golladay to appear for an autograph signing without the knowledge of Bernstein, the suit says. This went against Clarity’s exclusive marketing agreement, which Bernstein informed Ochs of upon becoming aware of the planned event, the suit says.
As a result, two counts are presented against the defendant. The first count is tortious interference with existing contractual relationships for the endorsement and marketing agreement. This count alleges the defendants interfered with the agreement between Golladay and Bernstein, a contract that benefits the plaintiffs and resulted in a loss in excess of $75,000.
The second count is tortious interference with existing contractual relationships for the SRA. Like the first count, this count alleges Redland Sports and Ochs interfered with an exclusive contract between Bernstein and Golladay. The plaintiffs are asking for more than $75,000.