Fanatics Faces Backlash Over Super Bowl Jerseys: Seahawks and Patriots Fans Cry Foul
As anticipation builds for Super Bowl LX, many Seahawks and Patriots fans are finding themselves frustrated-not by the matchup, but by the merchandise. Fanatics, the sports apparel giant and official NFL partner, is under fire for rolling out what many fans are calling low-quality Super Bowl jerseys that bear little resemblance to the gear players will wear on the field.
At the heart of the issue are replica jerseys that retail for $160 but, according to fans, fall far short in both appearance and quality. Photos circulating on social media show clear discrepancies between what’s being sold and what’s expected-differences in stitching, fabric, and overall design that have left many customers feeling shortchanged.
Fanatics released a public statement on Monday, acknowledging the backlash and offering something of an apology. “NFL fans, we’ve seen your jersey feedback, and we take it very seriously,” the company said. “We’ve let Patriots and Seahawks fans down with product availability - we own that and we are sorry.”
The company attributed the issue to an unexpected surge in demand. Both the Patriots and Seahawks missed the playoffs last season, making their Super Bowl appearance this year a rare turnaround. According to Fanatics, jersey sales for both teams have spiked nearly 400% since Thanksgiving compared to the same period last year.
Despite reportedly ordering more jerseys than ever before for both teams, Fanatics says it struggled to keep team-color jerseys in stock. To meet demand, they began offering alternate versions of the jerseys-versions that fans say look and feel nothing like the real thing.
Fanatics defended the alternate jerseys, stating that they are “identical to the standard Nike replica ‘Game’ jersey,” a model that has been used since Nike took over NFL jersey production in 2012. The company also emphasized that these jerseys are among the highest-rated items in their catalog and promised that more team-color options are being restocked daily.
Still, the apology did little to calm the storm. Fans quickly took to the comments section of Fanatics’ post, calling the statement “pathetic” and accusing the company of making the situation worse with what they saw as a tone-deaf response. Many shared side-by-side photos comparing the Fanatics versions to authentic jerseys, highlighting noticeable differences in detailing, fit, and material.
Some fans also pointed out that this isn’t a one-off issue. Fanatics has faced similar criticism in the past, particularly during previous Super Bowl runs by other teams. Complaints have ranged from incorrect orders and misspelled names to poor stitching and cheap fabrics.
And it’s not just football fans who are frustrated. In 2024, baseball fans voiced similar concerns over MLB uniforms produced by Fanatics, criticizing the use of thin, partially sheer fabric. The company also holds the rights to produce jerseys for the NHL, where fans have likewise expressed dissatisfaction with the product quality.
To their credit, Fanatics is offering full refunds for any jerseys fans aren’t happy with and says they’re “ready with a deep assortment of jerseys and fan gear for whoever wins on Sunday.” But for many fans, the damage may already be done. The trust that sports fans place in their gear-especially when it comes to something as symbolic as a Super Bowl jersey-is hard to earn and even harder to win back once it’s been lost.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, the spotlight isn’t just on the players-it’s also on the brand outfitting the fans. And right now, Fanatics has some serious work to do to get back in the good graces of the people who wear their name on their backs.