The Cincy Hat Partners With Cincinnati Metro
The local hat brand collaborates with Cincinnati Metro on a new accessory to benefit regional community services.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Cincy Hat has launched a new Metro-themed hat in an official partnership with Cincinnati Metro. Proceeds from the initiative support The Village of Merici, which provides housing and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Why it matters
The collaboration links local transit branding with a charitable mission focused on expanding housing and educational support for vulnerable residents. This initiative highlights the growing role of community-focused partnerships between local government agencies and area businesses.
The Cincy Hat was established as a nonprofit brand following the arrival of founder Ted Karras in the city. The organization currently supports the operations of The Village of Merici through its retail sales model.
The players
Ted Karras
Ted Karras is a professional football player who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 and founded The Cincy Hat brand.
The Village of Merici
The Village of Merici is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing and supportive services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Cincinnati Metro
Cincinnati Metro is the public transit agency serving the city and surrounding region.
The details
The co-branded hats are currently available for purchase through the nonprofit organization's website. As part of the rollout, Metro Access employees may incorporate the new themed headwear into their standard uniform rotation.
Timeline
2022: Ted Karras joined the Cincinnati Bengals organization.
October 28, 2026: The Cincy Hat and Cincinnati Metro formally announced their partnership.
Market Landscape
This collaboration mirrors a trend of local organizations integrating charitable foundations with municipal branding to drive community engagement. It positions the nonprofit sector as a central partner in regional transit and public-facing identity projects.
Residents can purchase the new Metro-themed headwear through the organization's website to contribute to regional disability services. The partnership also allows for the integration of the apparel into official local transit employee uniforms.
The takeaway
This partnership demonstrates how sports-linked nonprofit brands can leverage local transit visibility to raise awareness for social causes. Supporting such initiatives provides residents with a tangible way to fund housing and educational services in the community.
Further reading
Learn more about local charitable initiatives on the Cincinnati Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLWT5.
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