MLB and Majestic Extend Exclusive Deal through 2019

Every Major League Baseball player will take the field in uniforms made by Majestic Athletic through the end of the 2019 season, this according to a report from Forbes’ Maury Brown

This continues the exclusive on-field partnership the two sides have shared since the 2005 season.

From Brown’s story:

Majestic will retain exclusive rights to design, produce, and distribute on-field uniforms, Authentic Collection apparel, replica jerseys, along with a broad assortment of men’s and women’s fan apparel. While the sides did not reveal the exact figures of what the partnership extension would mean economically, it is described as double-digit growth over the prior agreement. That’s significant as the initial agreement to make Majestic the exclusive provider of authentic jerseys for all 30 clubs in MLB in 2005 was valued at $500 million thus continuing a lucrative centralized revenue stream for all of the owners in the league.

Majestic’s run as exclusive on-field provider saw the introduction of the “Cool Base” style of jersey, a uniform which was lightweight (think batting practice/spring training style) but still retained the high-quality look that’s come to be expected with the regular season Major League uniform.

My only gripe with Majestic has been the lowered quality of replica jerseys under their watch, team lettering and logos went from being sewn patches to a material offering no discernible difference than what’s used on your standard jersey t-shirts or “shirseys”. I’ve stopped buying replica jerseys because of this and this alone, I’ve had to move up to authentics which are much more expensive (perhaps that was their intention?)

Anyways, that one issue aside, I’m happy to see Majestic remain. In the end, I’d rather the players continue to look fantastic than the replica-buying fans.