MLB Blames Nike For Cheap-Looking Uniforms, Promises To Upgrade Following Player Complaints

PublishedApril 28, 2024 10:09 PM EDT|UpdatedApril 28, 2024 10:09 PM EDT

MLB swung for the fences with their new uniforms this season, and missed big time.

Now the league is finally coming around to the major issues surrounding its new uniforms this season. In a memo obtained by ESPN, MLB also blamed Nike for trying to test the new uniforms — an experiment that has been a disaster just one month into the new year.

Baseball fans have been shocked by the disastrous roll-out of the new Nike-Fanatics uniforms, which were marred by several defects, including pathetically small lettering on the back of the unis, see-through pants with a propensity to rip in some embarrassing places, and the nasty ‘sweat’ effect that gives these pro league uniforms the appearance of a garment ordered off Temu.

Changes to the uniforms are expected by the 2025 season "at the latest," according to the league's memo.

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: A detial view of a New York Mets logo on a jersey during the Los Angeles Dodgers game versus the New York Mets on April 21, 2024, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The memo from MLB addressed these concerns after players reportedly complained about the lackluster quality. Not only have the players complained about the quality (or lack of it), they've raised issues for months, and the league is finally waking up to this concern shared by the players and fans.

Nike is in the midst of a 10-year, billion-dollar deal to supply MLB's new uniforms, a partnership that started in 2019.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees pitches in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on March 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Fanatics didn't face as much heat because of the uniforms' terrible quality compared to Nike. Phil Knight's company was torched for experimenting with its new Viper Premier textiles.

"This has been entirely a Nike issue," the memo shared by ESPN's Jeff Passan read. "At its core, what has happened here is that Nike was innovating something that didn't need to be innovated."

The memo also stated, "We cautioned Nike against various changes when they previewed them in 2022, particularly regarding pants. MLB had been, and has been, aware of our concerns as well. Unfortunately, until recently Nike's position has essentially boiled down to -- 'nothing to see here, Players will need to adjust.'"

"Fanatics has been, and continues to be, a great partner with the Players and has been making the uniforms for the last eight years without issue," the memo said. "Fanatics recognizes the vital importance of soliciting Player feedback, obtaining Player buy-in, and not being afraid to have difficult conversations about jerseys or trading cards.

"Our hope is that, moving forward, Nike will take a similar approach."

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo added to the criticism against Nike's new uniforms on Sunday, calling out the billion-dollar company for their inability to get the colors right on the team's black-and-blue uniforms. The colorway has been unavailable to the Mets all season over the mishap.

"There's a serious problem when a $13 billion industry is having a tough time getting pants from a worldwide industry that is supposed to be at the forefront of apparel and whatnot," Nimmo said.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 27: Leo Rivas #76 of the Seattle Mariners adjusts his debut patch on his jersey before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at T-Mobile Park on April 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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