New MLB uniforms: Fanatics founder Michael Rubin reacts to backlash as MLBPA remains concerned

With spring training in full swing and MLB Opening Day less than four weeks away, the biggest story in baseball right now is…uniforms? Nike’s new design, which aims to be more breathable and moisture-resistant, has created all kinds of headaches in spring training. Small numbers and letters, The pants are somewhat transparentand it was not designed either.

Players complained about the new uniforms and raised their concerns with the MLB Players Association, which in turn reached out to MLB and Nike. On Thursday, MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said he was “hopeful” the uniforms would be processed in time for the start of the regular season. This is what Clark told the Associated Press:

“Don’t expect to have uniform conversations,” Clark said Thursday after meeting with New York Yankees players. “So I’m optimistic, and this goes back to what we suggested before, which is to pick up the phone and talk to all the people involved, and feel some appreciation for the people who care about it now perhaps more than they did before. Before spring even starts.”

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“It is calm because the commentary being made indicates that the powers that be are paying attention to the concerns that exist and are looking at how best to address them and move forward.” Clark said. “So the tension that was created early on, the concerns are still there. Hopefully, as we head quickly toward opening day over the next month or so we won’t have a second set of comments about the pants when the lights come on.”

Because issues with the design and appearance of the uniforms aren’t bad enough, there’s also a shortage of pants this spring, and some players have resorted to wearing last year’s pants. The uniforms are designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, which has been done since Fanatics purchased Majestic in 2017. This is not a new arrangement.

At the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics conference on Friday, Fanatics founder Michael Rubin said the company is being unfairly blamed for its role in the uniform fiasco.

“This is a bit of a difficult situation. We’re doing exactly what we’re told, and we’re being told we’re doing everything exactly right. And we’re firing the s— that’s not fun,” Rubin told The Associated Press. “…Nike Designs everything. You give us the specs and you say, “Make this.” “We made everything exactly to spec, and Nike and baseball will say, ‘Yes, you did everything we asked you to do.'”

Rubin added that part of the problem was that players didn’t have enough time to get used to the new uniforms — and to be fair, players have trouble with almost every change in the game — and that a similar problem with NFL jerseys eventually exploded. He also said players should be consulted more on any future uniform changes.

It is unclear whether or not the uniforms will be improved in time for Opening Day.