As soon as the Super Bowl teams were determined, employees at the Wilson Sporting Goods football factory in Ada, Ohio, began their preparations. This factory specializes in producing the official footballs for each NFL team, as well as for many top college and high school programs across the nation. The spotlight is particularly bright during this time, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are set to compete for the Lombardi Trophy on February 9 in New Orleans, marking their showdown for the second time in three years.
When it comes to the Super Bowl, there are specific numbers associated with the footballs. Each team receives a total of 108 footballs, plus another dozen for kickers—the balls are imprinted with the Super Bowl logo and the respective team names. Some of these footballs are meant for practice, while others are designated for game use, with about 50 balls carefully stored away for each team until kickoff time.
NFL footballs are distinct from other types of footballs in several ways. Wilson produces five varying sizes to serve players across all levels, including professional and youth leagues, with different stitching patterns for each. A key feature of NFL footballs is the absence of stripes at the ends, and they come equipped with a tracking chip that monitors the ball’s location, distance traveled, and flight path on the field.
The process of creating a football typically spans three days. However, the initial batch for the Super Bowl teams is expedited, with the first shipment needing to be dispatched within approximately 18 hours post-selection. This fast-tracking is essential to allow the teams sufficient time to break in the footballs for practices and the game, prompting factory workers to commence production immediately after the conference title games have concluded.
Crafting these footballs involves an intricate 20-step process, predominantly conducted by hand. This includes cutting out four leather panels that are then sewn together with an impressive 250 stitches and integrating the laces. The most talented artisans at the factory manage the production of NFL footballs, ensuring each step possesses a personal touch. Kevin Murphy, general manager of Wilson Team Sports, likened it to crafting a finely sculpted pair of shoes.
To ensure the footballs are ready for gameplay, several quality checks are performed during production where the balls are weighed, measured, and examined for any defects. Once finalized, each ball undergoes another round of inspections before being packed and shipped, with approximately 50 workers contributing to its journey from raw material to finished product.
Typically, the factory produces around 500,000 footballs annually, which translates to about 2,500 footballs daily. Throughout the NFL season, teams utilize several hundred footballs. For the Super Bowl, Wilson will manufacture between 10,000 to 20,000 special commemorative balls that will be available for purchase at retail outlets nationwide, as well as at the event venue. Should demand be high enough, production of these souvenir footballs will continue even after the game.
Wilson has been making NFL footballs since 1941, and the Ada factory has been the source of the official game balls since 1955. Recently, the company inaugurated a new facility in Ada, enhancing its production capacity and featuring a museum for fans. Visitors can tour the factory, adding an extra layer of engagement for football enthusiasts.
