Nike Faces Criticism Over MLB Jerseys, Anticipates Changes by 2025
Major League Baseball is set to address the backlash surrounding the Vapor Premier uniforms, originally designed by Nike Inc and manufactured by Fanatics. The uniforms have faced widespread criticism from fans, players, and the players’ union. One of the main issues raised is the thin material used in the pants, which has led to them being partially see-through, much to the dismay of many involved in the sport.
Nike touted the jerseys as being made from breathable, lightweight, high-performance fabric, with a focus on sustainability through the use of recycled polyester yarns. However, veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas of the St. Louis Cardinals was among those who expressed dissatisfaction with the uniforms, citing their cheap appearance and their tendency to retain sweat, making them uncomfortable for players.
In response to the negative feedback, Major League Baseball has announced plans to make adjustments to the uniforms, although these changes will not be implemented until the start of the 2025 season. Initially, Fanatics bore the brunt of the criticism for the uniforms, but MLB has indirectly shifted some of the blame onto Nike for the design and fabric choices.
In a statement to The Athletic, MLB acknowledged that Nike was responsible for the letter sizing and fabric selection for the jerseys, while Fanatics had faithfully followed Nike’s specifications in the manufacturing process. The league emphasized that Nike would be working on necessary modifications to the uniforms to better meet the needs of MLB teams and players.
The MLB Players Association also weighed in on the issue, absolving Fanatics of any fault and placing the blame squarely on Nike. The union conveyed in a memo to players that the problem stemmed from Nike’s unnecessary innovations in the uniform design. They highlighted that Nike had disregarded their concerns, particularly regarding the pants, despite being made aware of them as early as 2022. The union’s memo expressed frustration with Nike’s dismissive attitude, stating that the company had been reluctant to address the players’ feedback and concerns.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the Vapor Premier uniforms has prompted MLB to take action and work towards resolving the issues raised by players and fans. The upcoming changes to the uniforms aim to improve their functionality and comfort for players, addressing the shortcomings that have garnered widespread criticism within the baseball community.