Fanatics signs 10 year deal to be uniform supplier of NHL

[ICanMotteBelieveIt]

Is there, though? they aren't going to backtrack and pick someone else.

Yep. If the deal is signed, the deal is signed. Unless they put a clause in (super unlikely) they're stuck with Fanatics.

Unless Fanatics goes under or have a super big scandal, we're stuck with them. The NHL would never buy Fanatics out.

 

[ClydeLee]

You can just not spend hundreds of dollars on hockey jerseys and then this won’t affect you

The visual quality of the designs is still an aesthetically impact that can effect someone. But we don't know how that will be. The adidas takeover was bad for many teams.

 

[max21]

Fanatics will come out with an authentic stitched on jersey, really doubt they’re going to keep the same style and sell it as authentic. At least I f***ing hope not

 

[tarheelhockey]

This will effectively be a branding logo swap for the first 2 seasons. Starting in 2026, it's all Fanatics.

Given how heavily involved Fanatics is with online sales, you have to believe they are going to actively encourage as many alternate jerseys as possible to supercharge the markets. Wouldn't be shocked to see 5 or 6 regularly worn jerseys per team per year in the near future.

They're burying the lede on this one.

"Fanatics will also make the uniforms for all NHL on-ice officials beginning in 2024-25"

Prepare yourself for alternate ref jerseys!

 

[TennisBalls]

Lol this is brutal

 

[Svechhammer]

They're burying the lede on this one.

"Fanatics will also make the uniforms for all NHL on-ice officials beginning in 2024-25"

Prepare yourself for alternate ref jerseys!

The f***ing orange lights up like a goddamn Christmas tree every time their arm goes up to call a penalty

 

[LokiDog]

I’m bummed about this. I enjoy splurging for a nice authentic once every couple of years. A player like Fox joins the team and becomes a favorite. We have a particularly nice outdoor game sweater. We do an 85th anniversary jersey. One of the reverse retros appeals to me. On those occasions I like spending the extra to get a quality jersey with good customization and nicer details than the ones Fanatics offers. Fanatics just seems like a such a low quality company and if they’re going to be the only providers for jerseys, I don’t have high hopes for the product.

 

[Sigurd]

Just don't buy our product ! Yes That's exactly the message Fanatics/NHL want to send to their fans

It's a fairly common view by corporate bootlickers/apologists on the internet. Off the top of my head, I can think of that being the case when people criticize Star Wars, and different video game companies, etc. "Just don't buy/watch then!"

Thing is, if fans of a product are criticizing a product, they're disappointed and want it to be better (in this case, the NHL). Companies should care because that's their consumers/customers. If a large amount of people are complaining, more often than not, there's probably merit to the complaint(s).

But yes, they can not buy/watch, and vote with their wallets. I don't see the NHL making up for lost consumers with the ongoing/looming demographic shift and the problem that poses to the NHL.

 

[joelef]

10 f***ing years of that disaster? Hellooooo eBay!

Their hats are the worst their jerseys suck. Why would the NHL do this?

Even the clerks at the NHL Shop in NYC said customers despise Fanatics.

It’s obvious no big mainstream brand wants to the pat them major league type money . That’s how low down the totem pole the nhl is.

 

[CJL182]

As much as I loathe Fanatics, I doubt the players' sweaters will be shoddy quality. As someone else said, the first couple years are looking like a brand swap, then it gets interesting after. That said, the "authentics" available to the public will be interesting to see, but I'm not getting my hopes up based on Fanatics's track record lol. I miss the days when we could easily buy the same on-ice authentics that the players wear. I don't mind paying a premium for that.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The f***ing orange lights up like a goddamn Christmas tree every time their arm goes up to call a penalty

**** yeah it's time for alt ref jerseys

 

[Oilslick941611]

China knockoffs are better quality and 10% of the price

no they aren't. don't be silly. Fanatics are bad and poor quality, but they are still better looking than the fake jerseys out there. The worst thing about Fanatics other than the price is the single layer crests which still look 100x better than the puffy Chinese bullshit.

 

[kingpest19]

Biosteel over gatoraid oln over espn the cycle continues

You do realize Gatorade chose not to renew their sponsorship deal right? Couple that with the fact that players and teams have been using and buying biosteel over Gatorade for quite a while and it was a no brainer of a deal

 

[max21]

The adidas gear outside of the jerseys was trash though, I always returned it. I have a Fanatics polo and Quarter zip that fit really good. Seems like the shirts and sweatshirts are are the main issue with fanatics from my experience

 

[CamMac]

I will never buy a product with that ugly Fanatics F logo on it. I don’t care if it is high quality. “Fanatics” is just a corny name and brand.

 

[joelef]

You do realize Gatorade chose not to renew their sponsorship deal right? Couple that with the fact that players and teams have been using and buying biosteel over Gatorade for quite a while and it was a no brainer of a deal

I know i pointing out that mainstream brands don’t want the nhl and how that related to its revelancy

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Sounds like a great business model for the NHL!

Do you work in the NHL’s marketing department? Because that sounds exactly like what they’re saying.

Just don't buy our product ! Yes That's exactly the message Fanatics/NHL want to send to their fans

Why do you care lmfao

 

[AvroArrow]

Why do you care lmfao

Why do I care that NHL jerseys which I like to collect, are now going to be made by a piece of shit company with shit quality ? Because I'll no longer be able to purchase jerseys of the player/team I support ?

 

[joelef]

Why do you care lmfao

We found the nhl executive

 

[Bounces R Way]

Nobody hates their fans like the NHL hates their fans

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Why do I care that NHL jerseys which I like to collect, are now going to be made by a piece of shit company with shit quality ? Because I'll no longer be able to purchase jerseys of the player/team I support ?

That’s not what you said when you replied to me, the implication was that you’re concerned with how it will affect the NHL and not yourself

 

[FlyguyOX]

Absolute joke. Disgraceful

 

[kingpest19]

As much as I loathe Fanatics, I doubt the players' sweaters will be shoddy quality. As someone else said, the first couple years are looking like a brand swap, then it gets interesting after. That said, the "authentics" available to the public will be interesting to see, but I'm not getting my hopes up based on Fanatics's track record lol. I miss the days when we could easily buy the same on-ice authentics that the players wear. I don't mind paying a premium for that.

This is pretty much all of us. The crap they sell as "authentic" is a joke.

 

[tucker3434]

Why do you care lmfao

Because it’s an exclusive deal and I occasionally buy a jersey. But I don’t spend money on junk.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Because it’s an exclusive deal and I occasionally buy a jersey. But I don’t spend money on junk.

I fully understand that, all three replies seemed like the concern is how it affects the league lol