As everyone is doing their part to help out our medical professionals who are tirelessly working to diagnose and treat those with COVID-19, there have been countless examples of athletes doing their part. Fanatics, the official manufacturer and distributor of MLB jerseys, is converting a Pennsylvania factory into manufacturing masks and gowns, utilizing the material that’s used to make jerseys.
Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin tweeted that the idea came to him to convert the factory and after talking to MLB, commissioner Rob Manfred, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf, and PA attorney general Josh Shapiro, Rubin’s factory making masks and gowns became a reality and they plan to make a million masks and gowns to send to PA, New Jersey, and New York hospitals.
Fast forward to today – @Fanatics and @MLB have halted production of all MLB jerseys and instead using that same fabric we make the jerseys with to make masks and gowns!! We have approx 100 associates working (extra distanced and in a very clean and safe environment of course) pic.twitter.com/E8ewI0REfn
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) March 26, 2020
Thanks to @MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for not only agreeing to halting production of MLB jerseys, but also doing everything possible to make this happen as quickly as possible!!
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) March 26, 2020
And thanks to our incredible associates who raised their hands and wanted to be part of the effort to help the frontline heroes in this war stem the spread of the virus!! pic.twitter.com/GcZXTTcraq
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) March 26, 2020
While it has been noted that the polyester material being used isn’t a complete solution, it is better than nothing. Medical professionals can put these over their actual masks and scrubs and be a bit more sanitary in the process. Every little bit helps and this keeps many people at Fanatics working and collecting a paycheck. Seems like a win-win.
Rubin is also a part-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. After it was announced that the Sixers and Devils would cut pay for employees, Rubin was reportedly “upset and outraged” and claimed he wasn’t involved in the decision making process. Within less than 24 hours, both teams pivoted and decided not to cut pay for anybody.
[Photo: @MichaelGRubin]
