MLB Uniform Overhaul Planned for 2025 in Response to Player, Fan Complaints; Nike Criticized for Innovation Gone Wrong

Major League Baseball (MLB) plans to make changes to its uniforms ahead of the 2025 season in response to complaints from both players and fans. According to a memo obtained by ESPN, sent to players by the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), modifications will include larger lettering on jerseys, addressing issues with mismatched gray tops and bottoms, fixing see-through pants, and tackling sweat buildup in new Nike uniforms worn this season. The memo also criticizes athletic wear brand Nike’s debut of its new Vapor Premier line as an “entirely a Nike issue” that did not need innovating. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark previously voiced concerns about the pants being see-through, while players and fans raised issues during spring training and at the start of this season regarding transparency in pants and design flaws with new uniforms provided by Nike’s 2019 partnership deal between Fanatics as a subcontractor based on its designs. The memo absolved Fanatics from blame, instead criticizing both Nike for innovating unnecessarily and MLB itself for being aware of concerns but failing to address them until recently when players’ feedback became more vocal.