(New York, NY) – The interlocking New York ball cap is a symbol of the Big Apple. Whether it’s the Yankees’ block logo or the Mets’ one with little curlicues (borrowed from the baseball Giants) — fashionistas, diehard fans, and everyday New Yorkers alike have worn the caps.
Now, as reported recently by the New York Post, the Mets orange and blue hat has been thrust into the mayoral race. A cap being sold online — without any official connection to the Zohran Mamdani campaign — co-opts the Mets logo in a bid to gin up support for the Democratic socialist. It cheekily makes use of the “N” at the end of the state lawmaker’s first name, and the “Y” in mayor to form the logo.
Depending on the website, they’re being sold for $29.95 or $40.95 — hardly a cheap price for a knockoff Mets’ cap. Seller Eletees suggests the hat is “perfect for Mets games, political rallies, or casual outings, offering a stylish way to show support for both the team and the candidate.”
Good Shirts says “a portion of proceeds will be donated to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign fund.” But the Post reports the mayoral campaign doesn’t have permission from the Mets to use the logo. At least, that would appear to be the case — MLB did not report any qualified use, and the Mets did not return the Post’s calls. Neither Good Shirts nor Eletees provided a comment.
Andrew Epstein — a campaign spokesman — said Mamdani is a Mets fan. But he denied any connection between the hats and the campaign.
