Fanatics is making masks and gowns out of baseball jersey material to donate to PA, NJ, and NY hospitals

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.

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]