Major League Baseball has been surrounded in controversy due to their widely criticized jerseys. However, Nike, the athletic footwear and apparel corporation has made entry recently to control the damages done but their novel move has further escalated the already brewing problems.
According to Front Office Sports, Nike has released their statement regarding their new steps taken after days of players feeling unhappiness considering the jersey situation. The giant corporation has developed new style jerseys which offer "see-through designs" in partnership with Fanatics.
Nike has made its first overt attempt at damage control surrounding MLB’s new uniforms.
However, the step has only served to further inflame the controversy.
"We will continue to work with MLB, the players, and our manufacturing partner to address player uniforms."
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 24, 2024
Regarding this Nike had shared, "We always put the athlete at the center 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. The quality and performance of our product is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to work with MLB, the players, and our manufacturing partner to address player uniforms."
However, the feelings extended by the corporation had little effect as Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association, has reaffirmed that the main concern of union membership is the issue in jerseys, especially the see-through pants.
As per the report Clark shared, "It’s disappointing that we’ve landed in a place where the uniforms are the topic of discussion. It’s been an ongoing conversation where each day has yielded something new that doesn’t seem to make as much sense as you would like it. … [The] universal concern is the pant."
As the training has now proceeded many players have been wearing older versions of their uniforms especially considering the pants. There have also been problems related to product delivery as not all the teams have managed to have the new versions pants of their jerseys. As per FOS, the San Diego Padres wore last year’s pants when they were playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Cactus League Opener.
