Gary Bettman's latest move is already looking terrible: fans and players concerned
NHL players have begun taking to the ice to skate in preparation for training camps, and Fanatics jerseys are starting to rip, as shown by Kraken's Matty Beniers.
The quality of the jerseys coming from Fanatics, the league's official manufacturer, has upset many fans. Fans argue that the jerseys do not match in terms of quality and design set by previous companies like Reebok and Adidas. Most complaints revolve around the material, which they say is far too thin and does not have the durability for long-term use. NHL fans complained that stitching also was poorly done and sometimes even peels off, including the logo and numbers, right after a couple of wears or if it's been washed a few times.
But beyond the problems with materials, fans are furious over the apparent lack of attention to detail. Many NHL fans have complained about inconsistent sizing and colors that don't match those of authentic jerseys worn on the ice, and some have even pointed out embarrassing printing errors or design flaws that detract from the authenticity of what's supposed to be a high-class product.
Seattle Kraken star Matty Beniers was at the forefront of the latest controversy with Fanatics. He was seen taking part in a team skate where the side of his jersey was completely ripped. Fans are absolutely not shocked by this anymore because they've come to expect this horrific quality from Fanatics.
The transition to Fanatics has also been tainted by concerns about price. With quality issues such as these, jerseys are still costly, similarly priced to the previous Adidas jerseys, and that's one factor that makes fans question whether they get value for their hard-earned money. Combining all these high prices with poor quality, numerous NHL enthusiasts now call upon a return to better craftsmanship and attention to detail, with the hope that the NHL will one day revert back to Adidas.
The general discontent shown by so many fans really underlines how serious not sacrificing quality on something symbolic, like a team jersey, is. Fans would much rather pay a higher price knowing they are going to get better quality than risk ruining something as precious as a traditional jersey.
Source:
Nathan "Grav" Murdock on X
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Should the NHL revert back to Adidas or Reebok jerseys? | ||
| Yes | 297 | 80.9 % |
| No | 70 | 19.1 % |
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