Following months of complaints from fans and players, Nike is expected to change some elements of its new MLB uniforms before the start of the 2025 season, according to a memo obtained Sunday.
The MLB Players Association memo to players noted that after weeks of conversations with the league and its official uniform supplier, Nike, the league “received[d] “Signs” will make the following changes: the jersey top will return to larger lettering, and the pants will return to the previous cut options adopted in 2023, seam count and higher quality zippers.
Furthermore, as Nike previously stated CompetitorThe memo states that Nike is working to address the problem of mismatching the team’s gray uniforms and sweat stains on the jerseys.
“This is entirely a Nike problem,” the memo said. “Essentially, what’s happening here is that Nike is innovating something that doesn’t need to be innovated.”
It’s worth pointing out what this memo is and isn’t. First of all, this is not a direct commitment from Nike. (Nike did not respond to a request for comment.) The union is updating players on progress on this front. This isn’t a promise of a return to the uniforms from previous seasons, either. In terms of fabric and overall jersey design, the Nike Vapor Premier is here to stay.
Nike launched the Vapor Premier this spring after debuting it at the 2023 All-Star Game, but was met with immediate backlash. Fans are tearing up certain designs, most notably the weird little name letters on the back. Players criticized the fit of the pants and the cheap feel of the fabric.
As soon as the season started, sweat stains appeared and road gray was seen in different shades and pants Start blowing out Along the seams – apparently due to the change in stitch count. (One issue not mentioned in the memo is the transparency of the pants, because, as previously reported, sources say the fabric of the pants has not changed this year, although some smaller details like zippers and belt loops have.)
“When Nike previewed the 2022 season, we warned Nike not to make various changes, particularly to pants,” the memo said. “Major League Baseball has been aware of our concerns in the past. Unfortunately, Major League Baseball has been aware of our concerns in the past.” But, until recently, Negi’s stance basically boiled down to – “There’s nothing to see here and the players need to adjust. “
MLB and MLBPA declined to comment.
In an effort to place the blame on Nike, MLB continues to support jersey manufacturer Fanatics. The Fanatics’ disarray has drawn public outrage for months as problems mounted with the new uniforms. The MLBPA has publicly pardoned Fanatics on several occasions and did so again in a memo on Sunday: “Fanatics has been and continues to be an excellent partner to the players and has produced uniforms for the past eight years without any Question. In addition to its partnerships with MLB and Nike, Fanatics has a lucrative licensing deal with the players union, and the MLBPA has invested in Fanatics.
Fanatic declined to comment.
“Fanatics recognizes the importance of soliciting player feedback, gaining player support and not being afraid to have difficult conversations about jerseys or trading cards,” the memo reads.
“We hope Nike will take a similar approach in the future.”
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(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
