Sports fans and businesses are bracing for impact as President Donald Trump’s tariff regime continues to send ripple effects through global supply chains. Because most sporting goods are imported, from hockey sticks to basketball jerseys, tariffs are likely to cause retail prices to soar. By some estimates, costs could climb as much as 50% for items like golf equipment and sports apparel. It threatens to shift the burden squarely onto fans and aspiring pros. 

Even bigger brands like Nike, Adidas, and Callaway are struggling to balance the rising manufacturing costs with declining profit margins. Whereas leagues like the NBA and NHL are buckling up for a potential dip in merchandise sales and franchise valuations. As manufacturing pivots become more and more crucial and consumer spending tightens, the question isn’t just how high prices will go, but whether it will impact fandom. Here’s an assessment of how things might pan out: 

Increased cost of equipment and jerseys 

Before we deep dive, let’s take a look at the tariffs imposed on the USA’s biggest trading partners. USA’s top-three import partners are Mexico (16%), China (14%), and Canada (13%). Whereas, the top-five import partners in the textile industry are China (29.6%), Vietnam (12.7%), India (7.96%), Bangladesh (6.15%), and Mexico (4.53%). Here is what the proposed tariff situation looks like (updated rate as of April 2025): 

China: 125%

Canada: 25%

Vietnam: 46%

India: 27%

Mexico: 25% 

Bangladesh: 37%

It should be noted that countries are still in the negotiation stage in terms of tariffs and counter-tariffs. For example, Mexico has avoided the guilliotine of 25% tariff and the 10% baseline tariff by signing a free trade agreement earlier. 

Regardless, a looming uncertainty prevails. The fear in the industry is that the equipment cost will shoot up as most major sports gear comes from abroad. According to an ESPN report: 

• In 2024, of the total imported sports goods, 61%  came from China. 
• Mexico and Canada exported sports goods worth $746 million to the USA.
• The US imported $10.7B in sports items last year. 

Consider hockey equipment.  “Pretty much everything is coming from outside the U.S., made in China, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico,” Jason Messar, Sales manager of B&R Sports, was quoted as saying by WXYZ. The suppliers have warned the company that the equipment cost will increase by 4-8%. 

Merchandise sales are likely to take a hit as the consensus among the NBA executives runs. Resultantly, the sport will be more restrictive to the people who can afford to express their fandom, let alone play it. 

An AP report puts that around 97% of all clothes and shoes purchased in the USA originate abroad. In fact, in an article at Business Insider, Cuts Clothing Founder, Lloyd Lee, estimated that to maintain the same profit margin with the tariff, a $50 apparel item might be priced at $79. 

As consumers pull back, brands will absorb losses or risk long-term loyalty. Tariffs are expected to lead to noticeable increases in sports jersey prices, driven by higher manufacturing costs and limited alternatives for production. But it’s not just the apparel industry that will take a hit. 

What’s the bigger picture in the sports industry?

Bigwigs like Nike and Adidas have large footprints in China. In fact, in 2022, China accounted for 15.5% of Nike’s total revenue. A month back, Nike’s index fell by 5% as Wilson’s parent company, Finnish Amer Sports, relies heavily on Chinese-made goods. Joe Pompliano, sports business journalist, estimates tariffs on Chinese goods equate to $112 million of the company’s $5.1 billion in sales.

Pompliano wrote, “Golf equipment company Topgolf Callaway Brands, which uses parts from China for some of its products, is anticipating a $5 million headwind on its EBITDA this year. ” Furthermore, it will impact the NHL franchise valuation as well. As tariffs are aimed at Canada, that will weaken the value of the Canadian dollar. Now, the NHL’s 25% revenue comes from Canadian teams. A tariff war might hurt the NHL’s Canadian business as well. 

Similarly, in Golf, the equipment cost is expected to go up. An estimate by HerikoGolf puts that a drive that costs around $550 might skyrocket to over $1000. Whereas, golf bags might cost almost double as well. 

So, Original Equipment Manufacturers and apparel giants won’t be able to protect the consumers from the impact of tariffs on sports goods. The end-user will take a hit, and their purchase decisions will change. But more importantly, the looming uncertainty has kept the business executives at the top of big brands and start-ups guessing. To survive the storm, brands must innovate quickly, balancing rising costs with smart pricing, global sourcing, and stronger ties to loyal fans.