Sylvester & Eastside Golf Launch ‘New Era’ at ComplexCon

Get ready for a cultural fusion! BMX icon Nigel Sylvester and the innovative minds behind Eastside Golf have teamed up with New Era Caps at ComplexCon 2025, ushering in what they’re calling a ‘new era.’ This collaboration isn’t just about apparel; it’s about merging sports, culture, and fashion to bring sports like BMX and golf into the mainstream spotlight, especially within Black culture.

New Era Caps: A Culture Connector

New Era Caps, a brand with nearly three decades of history, is the official headwear sponsor for ComplexCon 2025. Their presence at the event underscores their commitment to celebrating authentic creators and providing a platform for their visions to flourish. Mike Tresvant, EVP of Brand Partnerships at Complex, praised New Era as a partner that truly understands and elevates culture.

For Sylvester, a long-time collaborator with New Era, this partnership is deeply personal. He’s been working with the brand for over a decade, recognizing the iconic status of the NY fitted cap within street culture. His latest creation, a New Era fitted cap, pays homage to New York City’s rich baseball history, featuring emblems honoring both the Mets and Yankees and their legendary 2000 World Series matchup.

Sylvester’s Creative Vision

Sylvester emphasized his hands-on approach to the creative process, stating, “Anyone who knows me knows I need to be a part of the creative process. From concept to execution, it is just as important to me.” The cap features a custom, hand-drawn BMX bike emblem on the back, showcasing his dedication to integrating his passion into every detail.

Eastside Golf: Merging Sports and Style

Alongside Sylvester, Eastside Golf founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and PGA of America Golf Professional Earl Cooper also shared insights into their collaboration with New Era. Their new line merges basketball and golf, featuring licensed pieces from 10 NBA teams. This initiative aims to broaden the appeal of golf by connecting it with the massive fanbase of basketball.

Ajanaku explained the symbolism behind their “Nothing but Up” design, which depicts a golf ball entering a basketball hoop. “This is about bringing the game of golf into a lot of different spaces,” he said. “Bringing these two together, I feel like we can get someone who loves the game of basketball to pick up a golf club.”

Elevating Marginalized Sports

Sylvester, Cooper, and Ajanaku are on a mission to increase the visibility of sports like BMX and golf, which often lack the prominence of basketball and football in Black culture. Their presence at ComplexCon provides a vital platform to showcase their gear, promote their sports, and connect with a wider audience. By displaying, selling, and promoting their passion, they are taking significant steps towards making their respective sports more accessible and celebrated.