MLB Caps to Feature New Era Logo

Major League Baseball caps will be receiving an update at the start of the 2016 playoffs, as the New Era logo will be featured on player’s hats.

While it’s common for companies to sell MLB caps to fans with their logos embroidered on the side, in-game hats have always been reserved for individual team logos.

Starting this postseason, that will no longer be the case. New Era, the official on-field brand of MLB caps, will have its logo featured on the left side of each player’s cap. The new caps will debut in the wild card games and continue throughout the playoffs, and will become a permanent part of uniforms in the 2017 season.

SportsLogos.net reported that the hats will feature New Era’s flag logo, which was confirmed by ESPN. The addition of the logo isn’t an entirely new thing for baseball, as minor league caps have long featured the logo.

Paul Lukas of ESPN noted that the addition of the logo will give MLB the most varied amount of brands that manufacture uniforms. In addition to New Era, MLB uniforms feature Majestic made jerseys and pants, Nike undershirts and Stance socks – and that’s not counting the varied brands that make cleats, batting gloves and other equipment.

This isn’t the first time MLB caps have featured the New Era logo, as the San Diego Padres donned the logo in 2005.

The move is an intriguing one for MLB, as it’s yet another step in the transformation of their hats as showcases for logos and patches. In 1992, MLB’s main batter logo was added to all caps – and World Series logos were then introduced in the 1996 matchup between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

Now, patches are commonplace on MLB hats – whether it be the All-Star game, Opening Day, or anything in between.

Adding the New Era logo may be a sign MLB will look to add sponsor logos in the future. Given that the NBA is adding sponsor logos beginning in the 2017-18 season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see MLB look into doing the same.

The reaction of fans, however, is mixed. While some don’t mind, many are against adding sponsor logos of any kind. Meanwhile, some go to extreme measures to ensure they don’t display any brand logos.

Next: What Would the Red Sox' Playoff Rotation Look Like?

With MLB traditionally known to be conservative in any jersey alterations, it’s likely this is just a minor move as they look to expand their relationship with New Era.