Following a spring-long controversy, Major League Baseball revealed uniform modifications for the 2025 season, aiming to address many of the concerns raised by players and fans alike.
According to MLB, the Nike-designed uniforms for 2025 will include larger lettering on the back and trousers customisation options for players, two of the most pressing concerns from a saga that began early in spring training and garnered replies from all of the sponsors involved as well as the players' association.
"Player and club feedback is extremely important to us," commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement on Friday. "Together with Nike, we listened to our players and as a result, we are addressing their concerns."
This season's new outfits were criticised for being cheap, the nameplates and numbers for being too small, and the pants for being slightly translucent.
Nike's uniforms were produced by fans, and supporters were eager to blame the sports merchandising titan. Founder Michael Rubin felt his company was being unfairly vilified.
"Nike designs everything. "He gives us a specification and says, 'Make this,'" Rubin explained. "We manufactured everything perfectly to specification. Nike and baseball would say, 'Yes, you've done everything we've asked of you.'"
"We will continue to work with Nike to make adjustments with the goal of delivering a uniform that looks good and helps MLB players perform at their best," Manfred stated.
This piece originally appeared in USA TODAY: MLB announces jersey revisions for 2025 following spring dispute.