• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025

MLB Uniform Changes Coming by 2025 As Union Blasts Nike

  • MLBPA blasts Nike and absolves Fanatics in a memo to players.
  • Changes will be made by the start of the 2025 season at the latest.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The MLB uniform saga could be nearing an end. 

In a memo that the MLB Players Association sent Sunday, the league is apparently returning to its more traditional look. Modifications to the jerseys and pants were widely ripped by players and fans.

The MLBPA memo was obtained by ESPN

A return to the large lettering on the back of jerseys and a fix to the new Nike jersey’s tendency to visibly collect sweat will be among the changes made, the memo said. The most notorious issues—see-through pants and mismatched gray jerseys and pants—will also be addressed by the start of next season, according to the union. 

In its memo the MLBPA cleared Fanatics of wrongdoing and blasted Nike for making unnecessary changes. The Nike uniform, called the Vapor Premier, has been disliked by players despite being advertised for its improved performance compared to previous jerseys. 

“This has been entirely a Nike issue,” the memo read. “At its core, what has happened here is that Nike was innovating something that didn’t need to be innovated.”

Fanatics has taken pains with the media and its corporate partners to blame Nike, the designer of the uniforms, for the issues.

“We’re purely doing exactly as we’ve been told, and we’ve been told we’re doing everything exactly right,” said Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin in April. “And we’re getting the s*** kicked out of us. So that’s not fun.”

Rubin had previously said in March that in time “Nike will be proved right” for making positive changes to the uniforms. That doesn’t appear to be the case. 

In its defense of Fanatics, the MLBPA said Fanatics “recognizes the vital importance of soliciting Player feedback, obtaining Player buy-in and not being afraid to have difficult conversations about jerseys or trading cards. Our hope is that, moving forward, Nike will take a similar approach.”

The union took the somewhat unusual step of picking sides in a corporate dispute. Granted, it has reason to. The MLBPA made $44 million from Fanatics in 2023 off licensing revenue and invested in Fanatics in a 2022 equity round. 

“We cautioned Nike against various changes when they previewed them in 2022, particularly regarding pants,” the union memo read. “MLB had been, and has been, aware of our concerns as well. Unfortunately, until recently Nike’s position has essentially boiled down to — ‘nothing to see here, Players will need to adjust.’”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Dave Checketts

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”

For Yankees, It May Be ‘Business As Usual,’ but Title Drought Lingers

GM Brian Cashman says a salary cap is not at the forefront of his mind.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
October 16, 2025

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
October 17, 2025

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
WNBA
October 16, 2025

WNBA Says All-Star Game Will Return to Chicago Next Year

The league’s CBA expires in two weeks.
October 15, 2025

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
October 14, 2025

Dawn Staley Says NBA Far From Ready to Hire a Female Head..

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach interviewed with the Knicks.
October 14, 2025

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.