Yankees Owner Announces Update to Team’s Infamous Facial Hair Policy for First Time Since the 1970s

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New York Yankees Hal Steinbrenner on Friday announced an amendment to the organization’s facial hair policy to allow players to have beards.

The policy was first put in place by George Steinbrenner — Hal’s father — in 1976. Per the policy, beards have to be shaven and hair could not be long enough to touch players’ collars. George, an Air Force veteran, thought it would give the players a sense of discipline. Mustaches, however, were still permitted.

For the first time in generations, that will change with the 2025 season. In a statement posted on team’s official social media accounts, Hal announced that “well-groomed beards” will now be allowed.

“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy,” Hal said in the statement, “and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback. These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”

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