Majestic Athletic and MLB on Thursday announced an extension of their partnership through '19. Majestic will retain exclusive rights to design, produce and distribute on-field uniforms, Authentic Collection apparel, replica jerseys and a broad assortment of men's and women's fan apparel. Majestic in '82 debuted as an MLB on-field supplier. The deal will focus on strategic growth and performance apparel in the upcoming term (Majestic Athletic). FORBES' Maury Brown noted financial terms were not disclosed, but it is "described as double-digit growth over the prior agreement." The initial agreement in '05 to "make Majestic the exclusive provider of authentic jerseys for all 30 clubs in MLB" was valued at $500M, thus "continuing a lucrative centralized revenue stream for all of the owners in the league." Majestic has said that it will "continue its long-term commitment to producing all on-field uniforms" in the U.S. at its facility in Easton, Pa. Once seen by analysts as "an odd selection rather than apparel behemoths such as Nike, and adidas, Majestic has strengthened its partnership with their products and a strong connectivity with MLB players and fans" (FORBES.com, 3/19).
PAD NOT SO BAD: In San Diego, Jeff Sanders noted Pinwrest’s revised isoBLOX cap "has a thumbs up" from Padres P Alex Torres after "trying on a version with detachable padding that will be worn outside the hat." The lone MLBer in '14 to "don the padded cap first approved last year," Torres expects to receive his personally fitted '15 cap "in the next couple of weeks." He will ultimately "decide which one he wears" this year after "throwing with the new version." Torres: "It’s a little more comfortable, a little smaller and I don’t think it’s going to be as heavy. I think it it’s going to look more similar to a regular hat" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/19).
