New MLB Nike Deal Could Ruin Neighborhood Around Yankee Stadium and Close All Stores

Major League Baseball and Nike have come together and forged a new contract with each other, which will go into effect in 2020.

However, in an unexpected consequence, it turns out that the deal, as currently constructed, is mercilessly bad news for the business district surrounding Yankee Stadium, leading to an outcry to allow local merchants to continue selling official merchandise.

Somehow, a stipulation in the deal prevents non-protected businesses from selling any licensed items, and none of the businesses surrounding River Ave. are currently protected. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is leading the charge to try to get this fixed.

“If these eight businesses can no longer sell official Yankees merchandise, they will be forced to close, and the area surrounding the stadium will be a ghost town,” said Diaz Jr.  “These eight businesses have been selling official merchandise for decades, and are the core of the business district surrounding the stadium. Preventing them from continuing to do just that devastate the economy in the area surrounding the stadium and put 100 people out of work. This is totally unacceptable.”

This new agreement between MLB and Nike will prevent local businesses that aren't considered "premium distribution points" from selling official gear, which would lead to many stores closing their doors, including eight family-owned businesses in the Bronx outside of Yankee Stadium.

MLB and Nike should be doing their best to prop up local stores and family-owned businesses instead of tearing them down, which they are certainly doing with this new deal.