MLB’s New Uniforms Spark Controversy and Concerns Among Players
With spring training in full swing and MLB Opening Day less than four weeks away, the biggest story in baseball right now is not about the players or the games, but rather the uniforms. Nike’s new design, which was intended to be more breathable and moisture-resistant, has created all sorts of headaches during spring training. Players have raised concerns about the small numbers and lettering, the somewhat see-through pants, and the lack of tailoring.
The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) has taken note of these complaints and reached out to both MLB and Nike. Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, expressed hope that the uniform issues will be addressed before the start of the regular season. In a meeting with New York Yankees players, Clark stated, “You just don’t expect to have conversations about uniforms. And so having them, I’m hopeful, and this goes back to what we suggested before, in picking up the phone and talking to all the folks involved, having some appreciation for folks paying attention to it now perhaps more so than they were before spring started yet.”
Clark also emphasized that the concerns raised by players still exist, but he believes that the powers that be are paying attention and working on finding a solution. He hopes that as Opening Day approaches, there won’t be a second wave of criticism regarding the uniforms. The tension surrounding this issue has been somewhat alleviated by the acknowledgment from MLB and Nike that they are actively engaging in addressing the concerns.
In addition to the design and appearance issues, there is also a shortage of pants this spring, forcing some players to wear last year’s pants. The uniforms are designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, a company that acquired Majestic in 2017. This arrangement is not new, but it has come under scrutiny due to the uniform fiasco.
At the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Michael Rubin, the founder of Fanatics, defended the company against the blame it has received for the uniform problems. Rubin stated, “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 s— kicked out of us. So that’s not fun.” He further explained that Nike designs everything and provides Fanatics with specifications to follow. Rubin believes that the issue stems from players not having enough time to get used to the new uniforms, as players tend to resist any changes to the game. He also emphasized the importance of consulting players more in future uniform changes.
As MLB Opening Day approaches, it remains uncertain if and how the uniform issues will be resolved in time. The hope is that MLB and Nike will address the concerns raised by players and find a solution that satisfies everyone involved. In the meantime, fans and players alike eagerly await the start of the regular season, hoping that the focus will shift back to the game itself rather than the controversial uniforms.
