Naked City
Baseball Cap Boycott
By Lauri Apple, Fri., Nov. 30, 2001
Among Austin's major sports teams, minor leaguers the Round Rock Express sell styles made by New Era based on its relationship with MLB. "But we pretty much use all the major vendors," explained retailer Sue Denny, who added that the team charges $18 for adjustable caps and $22 for fitted ones. The Ice Bats charge $3 more for caps than the Express, but do not contract with New Era. Nor does Longhorns Ltd., seller of all things burnt orange and white. Longhorns buyer Chris Commins says his company used to carry one or two New Era hat designs for UT, but dropped them because he believes the company's prices became too high. "I try to be price-conscious," Commins said. "Recently [New Era has] come down in their price on five or six designs, but to tell you the truth, I wasn't interested." Most Longhorns caps price in the $15-$18 range.
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