With baseball season in full swing, players and fans have been voicing their discontent with the new MLB uniforms designed by Nike. The much-maligned Nike Vapor Premier uniforms were intended to enhance mobility, moisture management, and fit, but instead, they have faced criticism for various issues.
Players and fans have raised concerns about smaller letter sizes for players’ nameplates, fabric that is prone to rips and tears, and even see-through pants. The backlash has been so significant that the Major League Baseball Players Association has stepped in to address the situation.
In a memo released on Sunday, the MLBPA announced that changes to the uniforms and pants are in the works and will be implemented by the start of the 2025 season. The revisions include returning to complete tailoring options for pants, high-quality zippers, and stitching standards to prevent blowouts. For jerseys, changes will involve larger lettering and addressing perspiration challenges.
The MLBPA placed the blame squarely on Nike, stating that the issues stemmed from unnecessary innovations that were cautioned against during the preview stage in 2022. The union also aimed to relieve licensed sportswear brand Fanatics from any backlash, emphasizing the importance of soliciting player feedback and buy-in.
Nike had struck a 10-year deal with MLB in 2019 for the new uniforms, but the backlash has been mounting since their introduction. Despite the criticism, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the uniforms as performance wear designed to be different from traditional attire. The saga continues as players and fans eagerly await the upcoming changes to the controversial uniforms.