The NHL will have a new jersey partner starting in 2024 and hockey fans aren’t real happy about it.
On Tuesday, the NHL announced that Fanatics will be replacing Adidas as the league’s on-ice jersey outfitter and retail supplier, beginning with the 2024-25 season. The deal is set to run for 10 years — until 2035 — and will be the first time the Fanatics logo will appear on game uniforms in professional sports.
The news also means that the Reverse Retro jerseys — helmed by Adidas — will be retired once Fanatics takes over for the 2024-25 season and beyond.
Fanatics already has a preexisting partnership with the NHL dating back to 2017, so this new deal between the two isn’t completely coming out of nowhere.
Coming 2024: NHL 🤝 Fanatics
A new on-ice uniform partner across the NHL starting 2024-25. 😎 pic.twitter.com/rxpdpXgiFG
— NHL (@NHL) March 21, 2023
However, hockey fans are extremely disappointed with the news. Fanatics has been the manufacturer of official NHL merchandise for some time now, and many fans have been vocal about their poor experience with gear from the company. From incorrect orders to poor item quality, Fanatics has not inspired confidence from hockey fans with its service over the years.
And, as expected, hockey fans did not take well to the news of this long-term deal between the NHL and Fanatics.