This upcoming MLB season will be the second season of Nike’s decade long, billion dollar contract with MLB to sell every player’s Jersey with their famous swoosh. Nike’s reason for  the contract is due to the profitable sport memorabilia market, currently a 32.4 million dollar industry. With Nike’s logo on every MLB uniform, it’s estimated each MLB team should bring in close to $3 million a year. NIKE will also earn a commission on every piece of MLB merchandise sold. Along with MLB, Nike also struck a deal with  Fanatics so that they can produce all the equipment and merchandise.

Unfortunately, jersey quality has declined under Nike’s directive. Instead of being stitched into the fabric, number, logos, and letter are now all ironed onto jerseys. The letters and numbers are smaller than before, and reports came out of slightly transparent jerseys and pants. Multiple players’ pants have torn during games throughout the season. Pants also used to be custom made for each player. Now they’re in generic sizes. In an interview with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, he described the jerseys as papery.

After numerous complaints from players and fans, Nike responded with “We always put the athlete at the centre of everything we do. We worked closely with MLB players, teams and the league to create the most advanced uniforms in the history of MLB which are lighter and more flexible. Feb 26, 2024.” Yet, all the flaws in the new jerseys seem to disagree with this statement.

Many people speculate that the problem is the fault of Fanatic’s manufacturing company. Fanatic was hired because they were the first company to manufacture goods for all players, not just the stars on a team. However, Fanatic argued these speculations, saying they “make the jerseys from the  materials and specifications received from Nike. It can’t be said who’s truly at fault for the decrease in quality in new jerseys, but regardless, something needs to change.”