Red Sox Adjust Home Jerseys After Fan Backlash

Team says original design was their choice, not Fanatics' fault

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Boston Red Sox have announced they will be adjusting the design of their home white jerseys for the 2026 season after fans criticized the lack of spacing between the 'RED SOX' lettering and piping on the chest. The team issued statements taking responsibility for approving the original design, absolving uniform manufacturer Fanatics of any blame. The updated jerseys will be ready for the Red Sox home opener on April 3.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the scrutiny teams and their uniform designs face from passionate fans, especially after the 2024 MLB uniform fiasco when Nike's new template was widely panned. The Red Sox are trying to get ahead of the criticism by quickly acknowledging the problem and making changes, while also defending their manufacturing partner Fanatics.

The details

The Red Sox said the original design was selected by the team, and Fanatics executed the jerseys exactly to their specifications. The team is now collaborating with MLB and Fanatics to 'restore clearer separation' between the lettering and piping on the home whites. This is not the first time a team has tried to shift blame away from Fanatics, as both MLB and the MLBPA previously defended the manufacturer when issues arose with Nike's 2024 uniform rollout.

  • The Red Sox issued their statements on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • The updated jerseys will be ready for the Red Sox home opener on April 3, 2026.

The players

Boston Red Sox

The professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fanatics

The league's official uniform manufacturer, responsible for producing the Red Sox jerseys.

Michael Rubin

The founder and CEO of Fanatics.

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What they’re saying

“As part of Major League Baseball's return to the 2023 jersey template, we approved a design for our home white jerseys that, once produced and seen in person, we felt could be cleaner in the spacing between the lettering and piping.”

— Boston Red Sox (X)

“To be clear, the original design was selected by the Red Sox. Fanatics executed to our specifications and has been an outstanding partner throughout. They deserve no blame and we are grateful to them for making the new jerseys in time for Opening Day.”

— Boston Red Sox (X)

What’s next

The updated Red Sox home jerseys will be ready for the team's home opener on April 3, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between satisfying their passionate fan bases and maintaining positive relationships with their uniform suppliers. The Red Sox's quick response and willingness to take responsibility for the design flaw, while defending their partner Fanatics, demonstrates how teams are navigating these challenges in the modern era of heightened uniform scrutiny.