As Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are drafted to start
the new quarterback era for the Colts and Redskins, the first piece of team
apparel they’ll wear is the New Era draft day hat.
Through their Facebook page (INSERT LINK), New Era has released images of their
first ever Draft Day hat.
Missing from the big reveal are the Carolina Panthers and
Seattle Seahawks who are expected to receive a facelift as to the design of
their apparel to be revealed on April 3rd when the NFL reveals the
new Nike uniforms.
As part of the new NFL apparel contracts, New Era purchased
the rights to become the official headwear provider for the league. Being the
official headwear provider isn’t unchartered territory for New Era as they hold
the rights to caps worn in Major League Baseball.
According to their website the Draft Collection 59FIFTY
fitted hats will be available April 1. Other hats to be released are the
Training Collection (May 1), On-Field Collection (July 1) and Cold Weather
Collection (September 1).
Caps in the Cold Weather collection should be interesting
because styles such as knits, headbands and 59FIFTY Dog Ears will be included.
This draft day, family members of drafted players will be
featuring other options of hats when the name of their loved one gets called.
New Era will be outfitting the families in 9FIFTY snapback hats and 39THIRTY
stretch fit hats (seen below).
New Era has revolutionized the hat industry and has helped
aid to the image of hip-hop culture. Having 59FIFTY flat-billed caps worn on
the sidelines is a risky move for the NFL as they try to stay away from the
“thug” image the NBA has been labeled with.
Today’s current “fashion” has people wearing New Era caps
with the bills not folded around and larger than necessary stickers/prices tags
still on the cap.
This is a risky move for the NFL but one that definitely
will pay off in the leagues bank account because there is no doubt that younger
generations of football fans will be purchasing these hats.
the Draft Day look. There is no doubt that these hats will accompany the looks
of at least ten players wearing prescription-free fake Harey Carey glasses and
oversized diamond-encrested watches.
What do you think of the “new era” of NFL headwear?
