Helena Frye
The NBA game ball is a serious piece of equipment. The ball is made from genuine leather and is built to meet the world-class standards of the NBA. In 2021, the NBA switched from using Spalding to Wilson as the official manufacturer of its game balls. Wilson supplied the NBA with game balls for 37 years from 1946, before Spalding took over the contract in 1983. Wilson sources its leather from the same Chicago tannery that supplied leather for Spalding's basketballs. The NBA game ball features the iconic NBA and Wilson logos in full-grain pebbling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current NBA sponsor | Wilson |
| Previous NBA sponsor | Spalding |
| Current ball price | $199.95 |
| Number of panels | 8 |
| Material | Leather |
| Color | Brown and orange with black ribs and a logo |
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What You'll Learn
The NBA's basketball sponsor is Wilson
Wilson was the NBA's first ball manufacturer in 1946, but Spalding took over this role in 1983. However, Wilson remained a significant manufacturer of basketballs for high school, college, and other professional basketball leagues.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is made with genuine leather and is designed to meet the NBA's world-class standards. The ball has a leather cover that initially feels slick and rough, but it loosens up and gains more grip as it is used. The ball also darkens as it becomes ready for gameplay.
Wilson's partnership with the NBA is a multiyear global deal that reflects both parties' commitment to growing the sport on a global scale. The NBA's collaboration with Wilson also involves jointly developing and approving the game ball with input from players.
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Wilson basketballs are hand-made
Wilson is the official basketball of the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. Wilson basketballs are hand-made with a commitment to achieving Level AA conformance under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, and other applicable accessibility standards. Their basketballs are designed to enhance performance on the court and ensure every player can perform at their peak.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is constructed with genuine leather to meet the world-class standards of the NBA. The ball is initially stiff and slick to the touch, but it loosens up with use, providing more grip. The leather darkens and softens as the ball is used, making it game-ready. Wilson's WNBA basketball has a Micro-Touch Cover for a super-smooth feel, while their Evolution basketball is the most popular indoor basketball, used in thousands of high schools across the U.S. The Evolution basketball has features like a microfiber leather cover, a cushion core, and composite leather channels, providing an unparalleled grip and an intuitive feel.
Wilson also offers the Evo NXT basketball, which has Extended Range Tech that redistributes the ball's weight, making long-range shooting easier. For outdoor play, Wilson's NBA Authentic basketball has a Tackskin cover for maximum grip on various surfaces. The NCAA Legend VTX and the NBA Authentic indoor/outdoor basketball are also great options for those seeking a versatile ball. These balls are made of durable materials, ensuring they can withstand the elements and repeated use.
Wilson allows customers to customize their basketballs with unique logos, colors, patterns, and text, creating a ball that reflects their style. With their extensive range of products, Wilson caters to players of all levels, from those shooting hoops in the driveway to professionals dominating the court.
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Wilson balls have better bounce
The NBA's official game ball is the Wilson Official NBA Game Ball, which is made of genuine leather and designed to meet the league's high standards. While the Wilson Evolution is one of the most popular basketballs, it is not used in the NBA.
Wilson balls are known for their superior bounce, which is a crucial factor in basketball as it directly impacts the game's pace and flow. A good bounce ensures that the ball responds consistently and predictably when dribbled, passed, or shot, allowing players to develop a feel for the ball and execute their moves with precision.
The leather cover of the Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is initially slick and rough, but it gradually loosens up and develops a better grip as it is used more frequently. This break-in process is essential for achieving the optimal bounce and feel of the ball. Players can speed up this process by performing dribbling drills, which help soften the leather and enhance the ball's grip.
While the Wilson Evolution basketball is a popular choice among players, some users have reported issues with inconsistent bounce. This inconsistency can affect the performance and experience of players, who rely on a predictable bounce for their dribbling and shooting techniques. However, it's important to note that the cause of inconsistent bounce can sometimes be related to external factors such as court conditions or ball pressure, which should be addressed to ensure a fair assessment of the ball's quality.
Overall, Wilson basketballs, including the Official NBA Game Ball, are designed to provide a superior bounce that meets the demanding requirements of professional basketball players. The choice of ball depends on various factors, such as playing conditions and personal preferences, but Wilson balls are known for their high quality and performance, making them a trusted choice for many basketball enthusiasts.
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Spalding was the NBA's previous basketball sponsor
In 2021, Spalding announced the release of its final run of official NBA game balls, bringing an end to their long-standing partnership. Wilson, a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corp., replaced Spalding as the NBA's official ball provider. The change was reportedly influenced by a strategic move to repair the league's relationship with China, which had been strained since 2019 due to a controversial tweet by a member of the Philadelphia 76ers organisation. Wilson is now the official sponsor of the NBA, paying over $20 million annually for the rights.
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Spalding basketballs were used for over 30 years
Spalding basketballs were used by the NBA for over 30 years, from 1983 until 2021. Spalding is an American sports equipment manufacturing company that was founded by Albert Spalding in Chicago in 1876 as a baseball manufacturer. The company first developed a basketball in 1894 based on the design of a baseball.
In 1983, Spalding became the official game ball supplier to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA's partnership with Spalding came to an end in 2020, with the league reuniting with Wilson, another sporting goods company, for the 2021-22 season.
During their partnership, Spalding and the NBA made several changes to the official game ball. In 2006, they announced the creation of a new NBA Official Game Ball for the 2006-07 season, made with interlocking segments and synthetic leather instead of real leather. However, this new composite ball received negative feedback from players, who complained that it became extremely slick and wouldn't bounce as high. Some players also experienced cuts on their fingers.
Due to the backlash, the NBA reverted to using the old leather balls with the eight-panel pattern on January 1, 2007. Despite the challenges, Spalding's partnership with the NBA lasted for over three decades, showcasing the company's longstanding presence in the world of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The NBA currently uses the Wilson NBA Official Game Basketball.
The Wilson NBA Official Game Basketball is made of genuine leather.
The official NBA game basketball is priced at $199.95.
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. manufactures the official NBA game ball.
Spalding was the first company to produce a basketball for official use in the NBA. The NBA used Spalding's full-grain leather ball as its official ball from 1983 until 2021.
