Spike Lee and New Era Celebrate 30 Years of the Red Yankees 59FIFTY

On May 9, 2025, New Era will release a seven-piece collaboration with filmmaker Spike Lee for the 59FIFTY Day, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the red New York Yankees 59FIFTY cap that Lee famously wore during Game 3 of the 1996 World Series. The collection includes six navy models celebrating Yankees World Series victories and a reissue of the original red cap, featuring a 30th-anniversary patch and Lee's signature under the brim. The 59FIFTY, designed by Harold Koch in 1954, originally served as a fitted baseball cap with a structured crown and flat brim. Its crossover into pop culture was catalyzed in 1996 when Lee requested a red Yankees cap—a color outside the team's official palette—from New Era's Chris Koch. With approval from owner George Steinbrenner and MLB, the cap debuted during the World Series, marking a pivotal moment in streetwear history. The 59FIFTY has since evolved into a personal statement worn by athletes, musicians, and artists, expanding into variants like Low Profile, A-Frame, and Retro Crown. The new collection will be released daily leading up to May 9, with the red cap as the final drop; no restocks or second productions are planned.