Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin On MLB Uniform Backlash: ‘We’re Getting The S*** Kicked Out Of Us'
The biggest story of Spring Training has been the disastrous roll-out of the new Nike Vapor Premier uniforms — designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics. Now, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin is pushing back against the critics.
The new design was intended to be more breathable and moisture-resistant. But players have complained that the material is thinner, lighter and lower quality than in years past. Oh, and completely see-through.
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Plus, the lettering and numbers on the new template are smaller, leading to bizarrely amateurish-looking uniforms for several players with lengthy last names.
(Getty Images)
At the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference on Friday, Rubin said his company is being unfairly blamed for its role in the uniform fiasco. He says it's solely a Nike problem.
"This is a little bit of a difficult position. We're purely doing exactly as we've been told, and we've been told we're doing everything exactly right. And we're getting the sh-t kicked out of us. So that's not fun," Rubin explained.
"Nike designs everything. Hands us a spec and says, 'Make this.' We have made everything exactly to the spec, and Nike and baseball would say, 'Yes, you've done everything we've asked you to do.'"
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Rubin added that players simply have not had enough time to get used to the new uniforms. But to avoid this problem, he says players should be consulted before any future uniform changes.
Mounting Pressure For Nike And Fanatics
No matter who's at fault for the uniform debacle, it needs to get resolved — and quickly. In less than three weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will open the regular season with a pair of games in South Korea. The rest of the league will celebrate Opening Day on March 28.
As if issues with the uniform design and appearance aren't bad enough, there is also a shortage of pants this spring, and some players have resorted to wearing last year's pants. So Nike, Fanatics and the league are already behind the eight-ball.
On Thursday, MLBPA executive Tony Clark said he is "hopeful" the uniforms will be addressed in time for the start of the regular season.
"It's calm because the commentary that's being offered suggests that the powers that be are paying attention to the concerns that are there and are engaging how best to address them moving forward." Clark said.
"And so the tension that was drawn early, the concerns still exist. We're hopeful that as we sprint toward Opening Day over the course of the next month or so that we don't have a second batch of commentary around the pants when the lights come on."
Clock's ticking.