“Wilson Named Official Football of NFL in Renewed Partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods”
Wilson Sporting Goods and the NFL have renewed their partnership, making “Wilson” the official football of the NFL for another year. The iconic football has been used in every NFL game since 1941 and has been handmade in Ada, Ohio since 1955. The partnership has stood the test of time, lasting for over 80 years.
The footballs are meticulously crafted by a team of about 150 employees who produce approximately 700,000 footballs each year. The process involves 20 production steps, with each ball being sewn, turned, and laced by hand. The dedication and skill of the craftsmen ensure that each football is of the highest quality.
A new 80,000 square foot facility has been unveiled in Ada, Ohio, doubling the production capacity of the previous factory. The upgraded facility also houses product testing, ball customization, and a football museum celebrating iconic Wilson and NFL moments. The new space includes a pop-up shop and manufacturing tours for visitors to experience the process firsthand.
Athletes from the NFL, college, and little league all use the footballs produced in Ada. The handmade nature of the footballs ensures a level of quality and consistency that cannot be replicated by automation. Wilson Team Sports’ general manager, Kevin Murphy, expressed pride in the investment in the community and the commitment to producing the best footballs possible.
The Wilson Football Factory has put Ada on the map, with the small town becoming synonymous with the sport watched and played by millions. The craftsmen in Ada take pride in their work, knowing that their handmade footballs are used by athletes at all levels of the game. The love and passion stitched into each ball mirror the dedication and passion that athletes put into every game they play.
As Wilson looks to the future, they aim to continue bettering the world through sports, starting with the balls that allow people to play the game they love. The partnership between Wilson and the NFL is a testament to the enduring legacy of the football that has been a part of the game for generations.
