New Era Hats Pulled from MLB Shop After Offensive Logo Discovery

NEW YORK, N.Y. — New Era‘s latest series of caps for Major League Baseball teams has caused significant backlash, prompting the removal of at least three hats from the league’s official online store due to controversial designs. The Texas Rangers hat, which unintentionally spells a vulgar Spanish word, and similar oversights for the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels hats were taken down earlier this week.

The caps from the Overlap line, which were released on March 10, 2025, featured each team’s logo overlaid on their respective wordmarks. However, the design resulted in awkward and inappropriate spellings. The Rangers hat, in particular, gained notoriety when fans pointed out that its logo created the phrase “TeTas,” which translates to an offensive term for female anatomy in Spanish.

After the Rangers’ cap was first reported, MLBshop removed it from their listings on March 12 at 12:29 p.m. ET. Following the Rangers’ decision, the Astros and Angels hats were also pulled from the site, with fans noticing similar inappropriate interpretations.

Despite the swift removal, the Rangers hats have become highly sought after in the secondary market, with six sales reported on eBay ranging from $200 to $1,000. Originally priced at $44.99 on MLBshop, the hats have garnered significant interest, elevating their value due to their rarity now that they are off the market.

“It’s fascinating to see how quickly the secondary market has reacted to this situation,” said Brooks, a senior editor for Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles at The Athletic. “When something becomes rare, collectors naturally pursue it, which can drive prices up dramatically.”

As of March 13, 2025, the Rangers hat has emerged as one of the most expensive individual New Era hats sold on eBay. With prices reaching record highs, it reflects a broader trend of enthusiastic fan engagement in the merchandise realm, especially when mistakes occur.

The incident has not only spurred sales, but it has opened discussions about logo design and quality control in sports apparel. This marks the second consecutive year that New Era has faced backlash for similar hat gaffes. Last year, a hat for the Oakland Athletics was also found to have unintended suggestive connotations.

While the other 27 team hats from the Overlap collection remain for sale, the recent setbacks highlight the need for caution in branding efforts within professional sports. As teams prepare for the start of the season on March 27, they will be looking to avoid further apparel missteps.