NFL fans are furious over Fanatics’ Super Bowl jersey quality and prices - Company forced to respond

As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks prepare to meet in the Super Bowl this Sunday, backlash over official merchandise has erupted online, with fans blasting Fanatics for what they describe as overpriced jerseys that look nothing like what players will wear on the field.

Fanatics under fire for Super Bowl jersey quality

The controversy centers on Super Bowl LX jerseys sold through Fanatics and NFL Shop for as much as $160, which fans say feature noticeably cheaper materials, inaccurate colors, and overall poor craftsmanship. Side-by-side photos shared across social media have only fueled the outrage, with many pointing out stark differences between the retail versions and the authentic on-field uniforms.

The reaction has been fast and brutal. Fans flooded comment sections calling the jerseys “embarrassing,” “unacceptable,” and “a scam”, while others accused Fanatics of cutting corners despite charging premium prices. Several users shared their own photos of recently purchased jerseys, arguing that the product quality doesn’t come close to justifying the cost.

As criticism grew, Fanatics issued a public statement attempting to explain the situation, but many fans felt they missed the point entirely.

In the statement, the company acknowledged they had “let Patriots and Seahawks fans down,” but framed the issue primarily as one of unexpected demand, citing a nearly 400% increase in jersey purchases since Thanksgiving as both teams went from missing the playoffs last season to reaching the Super Bowl.

Fanatics claimed that despite ordering more jerseys than ever before, they struggled to keep traditional team-color jerseys in stock and instead offered alternate versions. The company insisted those jerseys are “identical to the standard Nike replica ‘Game’ jersey,” even as fans continued to circulate photos showing visible differences in stitching, fabric quality, and overall appearance.

That explanation did little to calm the backlash. Many fans pushed back, noting that Fanatics has been producing Super Bowl merchandise for years and should be prepared for demand spikes, especially given their near-monopoly on licensed sports apparel. Others accused the company of deflecting responsibility by blaming logistics rather than addressing concerns about quality control and pricing.

The frustration also extends well beyond the NFL. Fanatics has faced similar criticism across other major sports leagues, including MLB and the NHL. In 2024, baseball fans slammed the company for producing MLB uniforms made from thin, partially sheer fabric, while hockey fans have also raised concerns about durability and design issues with officially licensed gear.

Despite the backlash, Fanatics ended its statement by emphasizing its free return policy and promising a “deep assortment” of merchandise for fans of whichever team wins on Sunday. For many fans, however, the damage appears to already be done.

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