Sports Graphic Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.
At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Graphic Designer, Licensed Sports Apparel is a creative, passionate, and results-driven designer who leverages a strong command of brand identity, color theory, and production art techniques to develop professional designs across seasonal sports apparel assortments. Partnering with in-house design teams, this role maintains corporate branding and seasonal creative direction that enhances individual Leagues through compelling visual storytelling. The Graphic Designer, Licensed Sports Apparel delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.
HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT
Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.
Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)
• Partner cross-functionally with in-house design teams to align on corporate branding standards and ensure seasonal creative direction is consistently applied across all licensed sports apparel assortments.
• Share fresh perspectives and new ideas with the broader design team through clear written and verbal communication, confidently influencing creative strategy and promoting a culture of innovation.
• Collaborate with internal partners across teams and departments to support collection development, presentation needs, and special art requests in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)
• Design apparel graphics that resonate with sports fans by integrating consumer insights, pop culture trends, and a deep understanding of the licensed sports merchandise landscape.
• Lead the development of seasonal creative stories within the assortment, ensuring designs reflect relevant trend direction and authentic connection to Leagues and fan communities.
• Maintain an active understanding of competitor activity and new business opportunities to continuously elevate the design aesthetic and deliver fan-first product experiences.
• Develop mood boards, trend boards, and ideation materials that inspire the team and ground design decisions in real fan and market intelligence.
Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)
• Conduct local trend shopping and research across multiple apparel embellishment techniques - including screen print, heat transfers, appliqués, and embroidery - to identify new creative and production opportunities.
• Apply intermediate to advanced typography skills to research, develop, and implement font solutions that elevate apparel graphics and reinforce brand storytelling.
• Create graphic concepts and presentations for non-calendared special art requests, bringing agility and creative problem-solving to emerging business needs.
• Explore and adopt new digital tools, AI-assisted design capabilities, and emerging technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of the design process.
Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)
• Own the end-to-end design process for assigned apparel graphics projects - from concept through production-ready art - managing workload independently or as part of a team to meet all deadlines.
• Develop and maintain presentation decks and collection boards with a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate knowledge of domestic and import printing and production processes, ensuring designs are executed with technical precision and feasibility.
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude toward team members, vendors, and clients while adapting to shifting priorities and managing projects with composure under pressure.
AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY
We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:
• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING
Required Qualifications:
• 4+ years of professional graphic design experience; licensing or sports-related experience is a plus.
• Strong professional portfolio (required) showcasing a wide range of design skills and abilities across apparel graphics or related disciplines.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, with intermediate to advanced typography skills.
• Demonstrated advanced-level knowledge of color theory, composition, and concept development, with the ability to adhere to brand guidelines and seasonal creative stories.
• Working knowledge of production art processes and domestic and import printing and production techniques, including screen print, heat transfers, appliqués, and embroidery.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills - written and verbal - with the ability to meet deadlines, prioritize workload, adapt to change, and maintain composure under pressure.
• Familiarity with project management systems and intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time for partner meetings, events, and other related activities.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Arts or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training, or work experience.
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in NY,NY subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/
Salary Range
$68,000-$85,000 USD
At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we're Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you're ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
ABOUT US
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally - as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world-including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
• Build Championship Teams
• Obsessed with Fans
• Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Determined and Relentless Mindset
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