The uniforms, issued to all 30 MLB teams this year, are meant to bring more athletic and form-fitting tailoring to baseball, with lighter fabrics providing improved mobility and moisture management, according to Nike and MLB. Nike struck a 10-year, $1 billion deal with MLB to be its official uniform supplier starting in 2020, although this is the first year a Nike-designed uniform was issued to players.
The uniforms are manufactured by Fanatics on behalf of Nike (Fanatics is also a party in the 10-year equipment deal). Fanatics is also a major retailer of sports apparel and memorabilia, running the online shops for MLB and its teams. The Vapor Elite uniforms were introduced during the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle.
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Although the issue may well blow over in the coming weeks, in the meantime it could ding the reputations of Nike, Fanatics and MLB, experts say. Also at stake for all three organizations are sales of authentic and replica team jerseys. According to a 2023 fan engagement study by Kantar Sports Monitor, 64% of sports fans bought sports apparel in the past year—a figure that rises to 75% among millennials and Gen Z, a coveted demographic for baseball.
Nike did not respond to questions about the new uniforms. Fanatics was not immediately available for comment.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the new uniforms during a press conference last week.
“The jerseys are different. They’re designed to be performance wear as opposed to what has traditionally been worn,” Manfred said. “They have been tested more extensively than any jersey in any sport. After people wear them a little bit, they’re going to be really popular.”
The league also pointed to testimony from players at the All-Star Game last year praising the new uniforms.