Rob Manfred talks Nike’s MLB uniform woes, pitcher injuries, more

NEW YORK — Nike blamed itself for MLB’s uniform woes this year when speaking to MLB’s owners this week, according to commissioner Rob Manfred, who addressed that and other major topics concerning the league Thursday. “I think they appropriately took responsibility for the issues with respect to the new uniforms and the rollout of those uniforms,” Manfred said at the conclusion of the league’s spring owner meetings. — Evan Drellich May 23, 2024 Manfred also said Nike “reiterated for the owners their commitment to make sure that they got the uniforms right.” He said Nike went through its specific plans for 2025 to address issues with uniform lettering, pant customization, color differences and sweat stains, and the company “talked about some things that done already from a remedial perspective.” “I think it was a positive,” Manfred said. “In terms of selling pieces of the club, I don’t think that John has a necessity of effectuating any of that in order to meet this timeline,” Manfred said. “We have determined to move the hearing a few extra weeks to focus on reaching rights agreements on mutually beneficial terms with our league and team partners and to finalize an updated business plan well in advance of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons.” Manfred said the date for a confirmation hearing for Diamond’s get-out-of-bankruptcy plan has been pushed back from June into July.