Nike will rectify MLB uniforms after widespread complaints

Nike has committed to overhauling its Major League Baseball (MLB) uniforms by the 2025 season. This decision comes after widespread criticism over the design and quality of the uniforms, which were introduced this season and have been a source of controversy since spring training.

The uniforms, produced by sports apparel giant Fanatics under Nike's design specifications, have been the subject of complaints ranging from see-through pants to mismatched shades of gray between jerseys and pants. Players have also expressed dissatisfaction with the smaller font size of the nameplates on the jerseys, which has affected the readability of players' names.

The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) sent out a memo to players, which was first reported by ESPN, indicating that Nike would address the complaints. The memo stated that the changes would include a return to larger lettering on the back of jerseys, correction of inconsistent shades of gray on road jerseys and pants, and a reversion to a "superior quality zipper" on the pants.

The memo from the MLBPA placed the blame squarely on Nike, stating, "This has been entirely a Nike issue. At its core, what has happened here is that Nike was innovating something that didn't need to be innovated." The memo also commended Fanatics for its responsiveness to player and fan feedback, while casting a critical eye on Nike for its lack of engagement in addressing the concerns.

The uniform alterations come as a response to the backlash that ensued when the new Nike uniforms were unveiled at the start of spring training. Criticisms ranged from the size of the nameplates to the mismatched shades of gray and the subpar zippers on the pants. MLB's decision to revamp the uniforms underscores the importance of addressing fan and player concerns to maintain the integrity and appeal of the league's brand.

The controversy over the new Nike-designed, Fanatics-produced MLB uniforms has not abated since the season began. A notable recent issue is the visible sweat stains that have shown up on the uniforms, seemingly in a much more significant fashion than happened with the old uniforms. This prompted the first acknowledgment yet from Nike that there is an issue that they will be looking to change.

Uniforms, and uniform changes, are tricky. The shades issue here appears to come from the pants and jersey material coming from different suppliers and arriving at Fanatics’ Pennsylvania factory pre-dyed, with different vendors having somewhat different dyeing processes. Meanwhile, the sweat stains issue is more curious, especially with these new jerseys billed as better for wicking away sweat than the previous versions.

The MLB uniform situation and the player frustration bear watching as it carries some thematic similarities to the NBA’s brief and ill-fated attempt in 2006 to introduce a synthetic composition basketball. After widespread player complaints—and ultimately charges—levied against the league by the National Basketball Players Association of unfair labor practices, the NBA switched back to the traditional leather ball.

Nike's partnership with MLB began in 2019, making it the league's official uniform supplier as part of a 10-year, $1 billion deal. The issues with the uniforms first came to light during Spring Training, with Nike's new Vapor Premier uniforms receiving widespread criticism for their design and texture. The see-through pants, which were produced in limited quantities, were identified as the primary concern by MLBPA executive director Tony Clark in February.

The MLBPA had previously voiced concerns about the changes to Nike when they were previewed in 2022. MLB was also aware of these concerns. Unfortunately, the union memo states, "Nike's position has essentially boiled down to -- 'nothing to see here, Players will need to adjust.'"

As of now, neither Nike, Fanatics, MLB, nor the MLBPA have commented on the report. It remains unclear when the fixes might be implemented if they do arrive prior to the 2025 season. Given the significant issue of see-through pants, an expedited resolution from the multi-billion dollar industry seems warranted. However, there's a possibility that players may have to endure the issue through the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

The MLB uniform redesign is a testament to the influence of player and fan voices in the sports industry. As the league looks to rectify the uniform issues, it is a reminder that even in a multi-billion dollar industry, the concerns of those at the heart of the game – the players and fans – cannot be ignored.