Fanatics Issues Apology Following Severe Backlash Over Super Bowl LX Merchandise Quality And Shortages
Fanatics has issued a public apology following a wave of complaints from New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks fans regarding the quality and availability of Super Bowl LX merchandise. The sports apparel giant, which holds exclusive licensing rights for Nike NFL products, faced severe criticism on social media platforms as fans received their orders ahead of the February 8 championship game at Levi’s Stadium.
Consumers expressed frustration over what they described as subpar materials, inaccurate team colors, and significant stock shortages. Many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share side-by-side comparisons of the retail jerseys versus the on-field authentic uniforms, pointing out missing details such as the “USA 250” patch and the Seahawks’ 50th-anniversary insignia. In some cases, fans reported that official team-color jerseys were completely unavailable, with only “alternate” black versions or generic designs left in stock at premium price points of $160.
In a statement released Monday, Fanatics acknowledged the frustration, stating, “We’ve let Patriots and Seahawks fans down with product availability – we own that and we are sorry.” The company attributed the supply chain struggles to “unprecedented challenges” driven by a 400 percent surge in demand compared to the previous year. Fanatics explained that because both teams had missed the playoffs the prior season and were considered long shots for the Super Bowl, inventory planning did not account for the sudden skyrocketing interest.
Despite the apology regarding availability, the company pushed back against claims of poor manufacturing quality. Fanatics maintained that the jerseys in question are identical to the standard Nike “Game” replica template that has been in use since 2012. They suggested that some of the viral images circulating online might be unflattering due to lighting or angles rather than structural defects, asserting that the product meets the long-standing specifications set by the league’s partners.
This incident adds to a growing list of quality control controversies for Fanatics. The company previously faced intense scrutiny in 2024 over Major League Baseball uniforms that featured smaller lettering and see-through pants, as well as a 2023 incident involving crooked numbers on Philadelphia Eagles merchandise. While Fanatics has offered assurances that they are working to replenish stock daily, many fans continue to call for an end to the company’s exclusive licensing deal, using the hashtag #EndFanatics to voice their displeasure.
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