Earlier this year, Nike and Fanatics caused quite a storm in Major League Baseball when they unveiled a series of new uniforms for the league’s 30 teams. The “Vapor Premier” uniforms, designed by Nike and produced by Fanatics, were developed by scanning the bodies of over 300 MLB players and were intended to be the “the most advanced” in the history of sport.
The findings, however, were met with widespread criticism. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward ha detto a The Athletic they looked “like a replica,” while Philadelphia Phillies infielder Trea Turner said it the Associated Press that “everyone hates them.”
The MLB Player’s Union also said that concerns expressed about the uniforms during the six-year design and manufacturing process were ignored, including he worries that the trousers are transparent.
As a result, in September, it was announced by MLB, that brought in more than $11 billion in revenue in 2023that the uniforms were being scrapped and replaced with their predecessors.
The saga involving MLB, Nike and Fanatics appears not to be over Leeds United. Tuesday, the The championship club has announced a new retail partnership with Fanaticswhich the club says will “enhance the retail experience for Leeds fans both in the city and around the world”.
The partnership, which begins next season, will see Fanatics become the exclusive operator of the Leeds United online store, as well as all official outlets based across the city, including the Elland Road store.
Fanatics will also have “the right to produce a wide variety of fanwear and accessories” for the club, although the exact scope of that license is currently unclear.
“This partnership will offer our fans a number of benefits, including improved access to a wider range of products, improved online and in-person retail facilities and exciting new Leeds products available to fans,” said Morrie Eisenberg, Chief Operating Officer, Leeds.
Stephen Dowling, International President of Fanatics, said: “Leeds United is an iconic football club, known around the world, with a rich history of success and a passionate fan base. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Leeds United fans are offered the highest standard of service, the best products and the widest choice, whatever they buy and wherever they are.”
Speaking of fanatics
Fanatics, Inc. is a global digital sports platform comprised of multiple businesses, including licensed sports products, collectibles, sports betting and gaming. The company was founded by Michael Rubin in 2011.
Rubin, 52, is the owner of the NBA team Philadelphia 76ers. He began his career as a teenager when, using money from his bar mitzvah, he opened a ski shop in Pennsylvania. This was followed by the launch of his own sports equipment brand, KPR sports, before founding, in 1998, the e-commerce company, GSI Commerce, which it later sold to eBay for $2.4 billion.
Today, Rubin is estimated to be worth $10.6 billionmaking him among the 250 richest people on earth.
