Local businesses in the Bronx are triumphantly rebounding from a past conflict with Nike, securing a new merchandising agreement.
In a turn of events that has been welcomed by the community, Nike and Major League Baseball have agreed to keep eight small businesses in the Yankees merchandising game. This decision comes after concerns were raised by local stakeholders about the potential closure of these stores, which sell Yankees memorabilia.
The jeopardy faced by the businesses at risk of closing down for good was due to an arranged deal between Nike and Major League Baseball that only authorized the selling of licensed apparel at "premium distribution points." The affected stores included Ballpark Sports, D & J Variety, Home Plate, Pinstripe Collectibles, Sammy's, S & A Sports, Stadium Souvenirs, and Stan's Sports World.
Lonn Trost, the Yankees COO, wrote to MLB expressing deep concerns about the deal affecting the stores. Similarly, Gibson, a representative from Nike, was instrumental in negotiating a compromise. In his letter to Nike, Gibson stated that the small businesses are in fact premium distribution locations and that they annually spend around $1 million on licensed apparel.
The New York Yankees front office bosses were among the first to step up for the small businesses. They reached out to the 161 Street Business Improvement District (BID) for a list of endangered stores. The agreement was the result of "constructive dialogue" initiated by local council members and the 161 Street BID.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. commended the efforts of the Yankees, Gibson, and Goodman, the Director of 161 Street BID. He said, "If you want to do business in The Bronx, you have to do business with The Bronx." This sentiment was echoed by the city's department of Small Business Services, which also advocated for the Bronx's Yankee memorabilia shops.
Thanks to the new deal, these businesses are now safe. The Yankees take pride in being a productive member of the community in the South Bronx and this agreement reaffirms their commitment to the region. Stakeholders stepped up to the plate for the small businesses after the news was broken on Oct. 31, ensuring that the rich tradition of Yankees memorabilia shopping in the Bronx continues.
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