When MLB and Nike agreed to a 10-year deal with Nike for on-field uniforms back in 2020, it was supposed to be seen as a positive step for the game. Gone were the days of Majestic making uniforms, and instead, the game was going to benefit from Nike’s immense resources for the on-field product.
Yeah, about that …
With new styling and materials for this season, Fanatics — the sports apparel giant — will be continuing the production of both the on-field and retail MLB uniforms. Nike licensed production to Fanatics back in 2020, meaning the uniforms have the Nike Swoosh but with Fanatics quality. Yet, the production/design-level changes in that arrangement are noticeable for this season.
As pitchers and catchers reported to spring camp, the initial reactions have not been positive.
This is what the back of the white jerseys look like with the new template. Players are pretty unhappy. Miles Mikolas says they also don’t fit right; pants are no longer as customized, and the fabric is a very different consistency.
“They look cheap,” another player said. pic.twitter.com/UoH4vVHTfd
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) February 13, 2024
Players think the new materials look and feel cheap and have less customization for fit and comfort. The difference in the name and numbers are also apparent. The name on the back appears to be a considerably smaller font size with a more pronounced arc around the number.
2023 jerseys vs 2024 jerseys
They’re taking the curved names to an extreme this year. Imagine if Jared Saltalamacchia was still playing 😂 pic.twitter.com/LGbM2JtQgf
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) February 13, 2024
It’s unclear why Nike would want to entrust Fanatics — a company notorious for producing poor-quality merchandise — with the actual on-field uniforms. That agreement for retail jerseys would make sense albeit bad for fans. But players are only going to complain about it more as they continue to report into spring training camp.
Last year vs this year’s replica jersey offerings from the fine folks at MLB, Nike & Fanatics. Last year’s being on the left and this year’s on the right.
I have a lot to say, so bear with me here.
Let’s just rip the bandaid off right away with this year’s new jersey offerings pic.twitter.com/3IShhlj0nL
— Bobby Mullins (@TheBobbyMullins) February 11, 2024
Already, though, we’re seeing plenty of negative reaction to this uniform deal.