Getty Image
There are few things that unite Americans more than their general disgust for sporting apparel supplier Fanatics. The company, which was founded in 2011 by Michael Rubin, has taken a stranglehold on the sports apparel world despite often underwhelming quality and insane wait times.
That was no different on Christmas, when sports fans across the country were let down by faulty products from the company. Twitter user @DarkoStateNews compiled a thread of all the products that Fanatics screwed up, and the results were almost unbelievable.
Name ❌
Number ❌
Otherwise, spot on.
(@talentlessshack) pic.twitter.com/05dHoPdKqn
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) December 26, 2024
I mean, who could forget Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb William and his trademark number 17? Or what about Los Angeles Rams superstar Puka Nakua? I hear he’s been a monster in fantasy football this year!
Puka Nacua is good.
Puka Nakua TBD.
(@CharIieGarcia) pic.twitter.com/96a3CSFt1y
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) December 26, 2024
Some fans received the entirely wrong product, which would be an understandable shipping mistake if it did not happen so often with Fanatics. Others received items that were literally falling apart at the seams (a pretty ironic metaphor for the state of the sports apparel industry).
One disappointed New York Knicks fan thought she was receiving a Karl-Anthony Towns jersey. And, in a sense, she did! You just have to completely ignore the front of the jersey
At least one side is correct…
(@Mrs_Knicks) pic.twitter.com/6lCbdbIHt8
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) December 26, 2024
Twitter user and presumed Detroit fan @HengesDad85 is all prepared for a potential NFC Championship Game showdown now with his Detroit Eagles jersey! Who could forget that incredible throw from Jared Goff to AJ Brown in Week 13?!
The Detroit Eagles going all the way.
(@hengesdad85) pic.twitter.com/0kjHTie7mq
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) December 26, 2024
To Fanatics’ credit, it remained consistent. Just as the Lions fan that ordered an Amon-Ra St. Brown shirt only to end up with Saquon Barkley instead. Does Fanatics know something we don’t? What is the NFL covering up?
Maybe Fanatics just hates the city of Detroit. I mean, check out this amazing jersey featuring Cy Young Award winner Tarik Ksubal.
Fanatics runs the show when it comes to officially licensed apparel in the U.S. It is the official partner of just about every league and team you can think of. So unfortunately, this isn’t likely to change anytime soon. The good news is that replacement products should arrive in time for Christmas 2025.