Nike is a giant when it comes to sports uniforms, but even giants trip. The sportswear giant had signed a massive $1 billion deal to be MLB’s official uniform supplier through 2029. They were about to bring a great deal of change with their 2024 Vapor Premier jerseys. Instead of being on their way to revolutionizing the MLB uniforms, things blew up in their face. The sleek and lightweight uniforms were the ones envisioned. More breathable, stretchier, and more moisture-wicking. But the reality hit differently.

The entire thing was a disaster. PERIOD! The gray road jersey didn’t match the pants. The sweat stains became visible on national television. Not a great sight! Plus, some players even suffered embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. And if that’s not enough, the fabric of the pants was so thin that they were borderline see-through.

The backlash only grew with players openly complaining about the so-called innovation. Carlos Estevez complained that the standardized pants made him feel like he was “wearing someone else’s pants.” Then social media was flooded with memes. Plus, the NBC Today show ran a segment just ridiculing the uniform.

Fanatics also received the blame for much of it, and they were not having it. CEO Michael Rubin simply shifted the blame, saying, “We’ve done exactly as we were told.” Nike’s then accepted defeat by midseason, that their creation was indeed a dud. Next, Nike decided to change things up; well, they basically backtracked.

The 2025 uniforms will feature a thicker, more durable fabric that was used in the previous years. Plus, larger lettering is making a comeback. The sheer pant, as absurd as it sounds, will be more solid, and players can get it custom-tailored. Nike also released a statement claiming, “At Nike, we take pride in creating uniforms that not only honor the rich history of Major League Baseball but also help athletes perform at their best. We listened to the voice of the players and teams, and we are committed to delivering the highest-quality uniforms that meet their needs.”

The Athletic reports that Denis Nolan, the MLB’s Senior VP of Global Consumer Products, admitted that Nike got it wrong. “Following the feedback last year, we’re providing the players with the adjustments that they asked for. The changes are being made and rolled out starting this season.” And the first player reactions have also come in thanks to Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.

Players reaction to the new uniforms

As the MLB spring training kicked off, the players got their first peek into the updated uniforms. Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele pulled out his jersey and immediately compared the font size to an old photo on his phone. All he said was – interesting! And well, looking at Nike’s motto to innovate, anyone would be shocked to see them just backtrack. But when innovation doesn’t work, one has to step down a little.

Nevertheless, players were thankful that Nike worked on it. Dansby Swanson was one of the harshest critics last season about the uniforms, and even he gave Nike credit for making things right. Well, sort of! “We all make mistakes at times, and they’re doing all they can to get things back to what the players want. I give them kudos for that. I don’t think it always happens as quick as we would hope or think. But doing something on that scale is a little bit hard to comprehend, too.”

The biggest relief for players is, of course, the custom pant fitting. No more loose or tight pants and Fanatics has been measuring the players since August to ensure the 2025 uniforms fit just right. The Athletic mentioned that Nike refused to comment on their 2024 jerseys. They are also tight-lipped on whether the botched uniform had an impact on their sales.

But hopefully this time everything will be great on the field, and no embarrassing pictures or situations will roll up. Do you think this time all will be well with the uniforms in MLB? Let us know.