With Super Bowl 60 just days away, the spotlight isn’t just on the unexpected matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks-it’s also on their jerseys, and not for the reasons you'd hope.
This year’s Super Bowl uniforms will feature a special patch commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary, a nod to the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration. The patch, revealed in a joint effort by the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, MLS, UFC, WWE, the White House, and Fanatics, is meant to mark a historic moment. But for many fans, the patch is getting overshadowed by frustration over the overall quality of the gear.
Let’s just say the reaction has been... less than glowing.
Fans from both sides of the aisle-Patriots and Seahawks alike-have taken to social media voicing their disappointment with the Super Bowl jerseys and merchandise. These aren’t just any jerseys; they’re supposed to represent the pinnacle of NFL gear, the kind of memorabilia fans proudly wear or frame as keepsakes. But what many received instead looked, in their words, cheap and underwhelming.
One Seahawks fan posted a photo of their jersey, calling out the poor quality, and the Patriots’ version didn’t fare much better. Across the board, from jerseys to caps to hoodies, the Super Bowl 60 merchandise has sparked a wave of criticism, mostly focused on the craftsmanship-or lack thereof.
The issue seems to come down to details. Jerseys that used to feature stitched numbers and high-end finishes now appear to rely more on heat-pressed designs, a change that hasn’t gone unnoticed. For longtime collectors and die-hard fans, that shift feels like a step backward.
And with Fanatics at the center of the NFL’s merchandise operation, the backlash has been swift. Some fans have been vocal about their frustration with what they see as declining quality across the board, blaming the company’s dominance in the sports merchandise space. One fan called it a “top 10 crime against humanity”-clearly hyperbole, but it speaks to the passion behind the complaints.
Another fan put it more broadly: “Products everywhere are getting cheaper and cheaper. Nothing is designed to last anymore in our consumer society.” That sentiment echoes what a lot of fans are feeling-not just about the jerseys, but about a growing trend in sports merch overall.
The timing couldn’t be worse. With anticipation building for a Super Bowl matchup few saw coming, fans want to show their pride. Instead, many are feeling let down by the very gear that’s supposed to help them celebrate the moment.
Kickoff for Super Bowl 60 is set for 6:30 p.m. EST at Levi’s Stadium. While the game promises to deliver on the field, there’s no question the off-field conversation around jersey quality is one Fanatics-and the league-will need to address moving forward.