MLB's Apparel Deal With Fanatics, Under Armour Slated To Begin Earlier Than Anticipated

MLB’s apparel and licensing deal with Fanatics and Under Armour will be accelerated following Fanatics’ acquisition last month of VF’s licensed sports group that includes the Majestic Athletic brand. The deal, originally slated to take effect with the ’20 season, will now see the debut of licensed fan gear from Fanatics and UA in ’18 and the on-field uniforms from UA starting in ’19. “The timetable has been moved up. We’re really excited about the prospect of that change taking place more quickly than we originally thought,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday at the league’s quarterly owners' meeting in N.Y. (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer). In Lehigh, Jon Harris notes VF first announced the "agreement to sell the division to Fanatics on April 4." On Thursday, Fanatics and Under Armour indicated the VF Majestic plant in Palmer Township, which has been the longtime producer of on-field MLB uniforms, "remains an essential part of their partnership with MLB" (Allentown MORNING CALL, 5/19).