Kristian Ferrell
The NBA Game Ball has been the subject of much discussion, with players, trainers, and analysts offering their opinions on the official ball supplier. For over 30 years, the NBA used Spalding basketballs, which were known for their consistent feel and softness. However, in 2021, the NBA announced a change in their official game ball supplier from Spalding to Wilson, marking a return to the brand that supplied the league's first official basketballs in 1946. This transition has sparked comments from players like Devin Booker, Paul George, and CJ McCollum, who have noticed a difference in the feel and consistency of the new Wilson balls compared to the Spalding balls. Despite the change in supplier, the NBA Game Ball continues to be a performance instrument, requiring not only a good look but also a good feel to meet the demands of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official game ball supplier for the NBA | Spalding (until 2021) |
| Current official game ball supplier for the NBA | Wilson |
| Manufacturer of the first official NBA basketballs in 1946 | Wilson |
| Number of years Spalding was the official supplier | 37-38 |
| Number of years Wilson was the official supplier | 37 (initially) |
| Leather provider for the NBA game ball | Horween Leather Company in Chicago |
| Quality assurance testing | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The NBA switched its official basketball supplier from Spalding to Wilson in 2021
The National Basketball Association (NBA) switched its official basketball supplier from Spalding to Wilson, starting with the 2021-22 season. The change was announced in May 2020, with the NBA stating that the partnership with Wilson would "return them to their roots as they plan for the future".
Wilson had previously been the official maker of NBA basketballs for the first 37 years of the league, from 1946 to 1983, before Spalding took over for the next 37 years. Spalding's contract was not renewed, and Wilson resumed its ball-making duties for the NBA. The NBA rarely makes major changes in equipment, and this was only the fourth time in almost 75 years that the league had changed its basketball.
The new Wilson basketballs were to be manufactured with the same materials, eight-panel configuration, and performance specifications as the Spalding balls. Wilson also planned to use the same leather manufacturer, the Horween Leather Company in Chicago, to ensure consistency in the feel and quality of the basketballs. Despite these efforts, some NBA players, such as Devin Booker, Paul George, and CJ McCollum, voiced their opinions about the new basketballs, stating that they felt inconsistent and had a different touch and softness compared to the Spalding balls.
The switch in suppliers coincided with the NBA's 75th-anniversary season and included production for the WNBA, G League, and Basketball Africa League. Wilson expressed their commitment to growing the game of basketball globally and working closely with the NBA to provide the most advanced, high-performance game basketballs possible.
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Spalding's NBA partnership lasted for 37 years
Spalding's partnership with the NBA lasted 37 years, with the brand serving as the official supplier of basketballs for the league. The NBA Game Ball, as it is called, is made of leather sourced exclusively from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago, one of the oldest leather tanneries in the US. The leather goes through a rigorous three-week process, including sorting, colouring, tanning, stamping, painting, and drying, before being packaged and shipped to China for cutting and sewing. Spalding took great care to ensure that their basketballs not only looked good but also felt good, as they understood that the ball is a performance instrument for players.
Spalding's partnership with the NBA began in the early 1980s, after the NBA's initial 37-year partnership with Wilson, the manufacturer of the first official NBA basketballs in 1946. During Spalding's tenure, the NBA briefly changed to microfiber composite balls in 2006 but switched back to standard leather after receiving feedback from players.
In 2020, it was announced that the NBA would be ending its partnership with Spalding and returning to Wilson as its official basketball supplier. The change took effect ahead of the 2021-22 season. Despite the end of the partnership, Spalding continues to be associated with basketball, providing equipment for some of the top leagues and associations worldwide, including the Euroleague, FIBA, the NCAA, and many state high school associations. The brand also remains committed to innovation and promoting its authentic voice within basketball culture.
The transition from Spalding to Wilson basketballs in the NBA received mixed reactions from players. Some players, like Devin Booker, Paul George, and CJ McCollum, commented on the difference in feel and consistency between the two brands, with the Spalding balls known for their consistent touch and softness. However, the NBA's return to Wilson basketballs also sparked conversations about the impact of rule changes and interpretations on the game, as the league experienced a temporary shooting slump at the start of the 2021-22 season.
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Wilson was the NBA's original basketball supplier
Wilson was the original supplier of basketballs to the NBA for 37 years, starting in 1946. The company has described itself as "home of the official basketball of the NBA".
In 2021, the NBA announced that it would be switching back to Wilson basketballs after 37 years of using Spalding balls. The switch came about because Spalding failed to renew its contract.
Some NBA players have commented on the change of ball supplier. Devin Booker said the Wilson balls feel inconsistent, whereas CJ McCollum, president of the NBPA, said that some players were finding it difficult to adjust to the new balls. However, McCollum also said that "it's not the ball's fault I missed shots". Wilson has said that its NBA balls are "comprised of the same materials, eight-panel configuration and performance specifications as the league's current game balls and sources the same leather".
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Some NBA players have criticised the new Wilson basketballs
The NBA's official game ball supplier changed from Spalding to Wilson in 2021. While Spalding was the supplier for 37 years, Wilson was the original supplier for the first 37 years of the league. The switch back to Wilson basketballs has been criticised by some NBA players.
Devin Booker, Paul George, and CJ McCollum, the NBPA president, have all voiced their opinions on the new balls. While McCollum was keen to point out that "it is not the ball's fault" that shots were missed, he did suggest that some players were finding it difficult to adjust to the new balls. Booker and George both commented that the Wilson balls feel inconsistent, whereas the Spalding balls always had the same feel. Booker also suggested that the new balls could be a reason for the league's shooting issues.
Wilson has defended its product, stating that its NBA basketballs are "comprised of the same materials, eight-panel configuration and performance specifications as the league's current game balls and sources the same leather." The company also worked with league sharpshooters to test the prototypes before finalising the design. Wilson's commitment to the league and the sport was emphasised by Kevin Murphy, GM of the Wilson basketball division: "Our passion for this game and the league runs incredibly deep, as does our history with it."
While some players have struggled with the change, others have expressed more positive sentiments. Max Kesler, a Philly native and chief editor at HoopsBeast, praised the Wilson Evolution ball, citing its softness, tack, and grip as key factors in its popularity. The Wilson Evolution is the most widely used indoor basketball in high school and collegiate-level play and has been the best-selling composite leather indoor basketball for some time. Its additional grip has been attributed to its "cushion core carcass", which replaces the more common foam interior.
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The NBA game ball is made from leather
The NBA game balls are made from eight panels of leather. The leather comes from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago, one of the oldest leather tanneries in the United States. Horween receives 3,000 cowhides per week, which go through a rigorous three-week process. The leather pieces are sorted by how clear the grain is, as well as the thickness and size of the piece. The chosen leather pieces are then coloured and put into tanning drums where they are preserved and tanned. The leather is then stamped with a 1,000-ton press with German-made embossing plates, giving the balls their distinct pebbling. The leather is then painted with lighter coats to achieve the desired combination of colour, durability, and feel. After painting, the leather goes through a double drying process, before being graded, trimmed, packaged, and shipped to China for cutting and sewing.
Once the balls are made, they go through multiple quality assurance tests. These include inflating the balls and checking their circumference, rebound, and consistency. After passing these tests, the balls are delivered to the teams and are ready for play.
The NBA game ball is not only a performance instrument but also a symbol of the league's rich history and tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Spalding was the official maker of NBA basketballs for over 30 years.
The NBA ended its partnership with Spalding in July 2021.
The NBA and Spalding could not agree on the terms of a new contract.
The NBA now uses basketballs manufactured by Chicago-based company Wilson.
