Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and the National Football League have announced the renewal of their longstanding partnership, designating Wilson as the official football of the NFL once again. This partnership, which began in 1941, marks one of the longest collaborations in sports history. The renewed agreement includes the opening of a new football factory in Ohio and designating Wilson as the official football of NFL Flag programs worldwide. This initiative aims to promote the game across various demographics and countries.
Wilson has unveiled a new football factory in Ohio, significantly increasing the production capacity of their previous plant. This factory will allow for greater innovation and production of game-ready footballs. Each Wilson NFL game football, known as “The Duke,” is handcrafted at the company’s facilities in Ada, Ohio, through a meticulous 20-step process. The new factory offers expanded space for craftsmen and craftswomen to continue their work, and it includes a football museum, a pop-up shop, and manufacturing tours. These tours, available for reservation online starting in July, will donate a percentage of ticket proceeds to youth sports groups in the area. The upgraded facility will also house product testing, ball customization, and Wilson’s game-ready product break-in process.
Kevin Murphy, global general manager of Team Sports at Wilson, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating that Wilson has been part of every NFL snap, pass, and touchdown since the relationship began. Ryan Samuelson, vice president of consumer products at the NFL, highlighted the importance of renewing and expanding this relationship to continue growing the game and maintaining the legacy of “The Duke” in every NFL game.
The new factory will produce footballs for the NFL season, including the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, as well as for youth, high school, and college play. To celebrate the factory’s grand opening and the partnership extension, Wilson and the NFL have organized events featuring notable figures from the football community, including Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford, former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jordan Palmer, and others. The celebrations will conclude with a youth flag football camp hosted by several football personalities.
In addition to its NFL role, Wilson will become the official football of NFL Flag programs internationally. NFL Flag is the NFL’s official flag football program, promoting a non-contact version of football that is accessible and inclusive. Flag football, which has over 20 million participants across 100 countries, is experiencing rapid growth, particularly among women and girls. In collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the NFL is investing in the development and growth of flag football at grassroots and elite levels worldwide.