A new deal between Nike and Major League Baseball threatens to sideline close to a dozen mom and pops shops near Yankee Stadium.

According to Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the new merchandising agreement between Major League Baseball and Nike set to go into effect in 2020 will prevent most official league merchandise, including New York Yankees merchandise, from being sold at locations that are not considered "premium distribution points" by Nike.

It would threaten about eight stores near the stadium that depend on the sale of Bronx Bombers merchandise.

"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., in prepared remarks. "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."

The Yankees chief operating officer expressed concern about the impact on these Bronx shops, saying in part, "MLB is actively working to resolve this issue."