Nike ‘working to implement a solution’ to Ripped Jerseys

After at least five of Nike’s NBA jerseys ripped on players this season, the world’s largest shoe and apparel giant has acknowledged it will make substantive changes.

The company, which signed an eight-year, $1 billion deal with the NBA that began this year, said in a statement provided to ESPN on Monday night that the initial product presented to teams needs more reinforcement.

“Nike has always put the athlete at the center of everything we do and we have worked hard to create the most advanced uniforms in the history of the NBA,” the company said in the statement. “They are lighter and deliver great mobility and sweat wicking characteristics, and the feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive. However, during game play we have seen a small number of athletes experience significant jersey tears. We are very concerned to see any game day tear and are working to implement a solution that involves standardizing the embellishment process and enhancing the seam strength of game day jerseys. The quality and performance of our products are of utmost importance and we are working with the NBA and teams to avoid this happening in the future.”

Nike did not reveal how many jerseys, if any, will be discarded in the process.

Source: Darren Rovell of ESPN