What Brand Ball Does the NBA Use?
Contents
The NBA has used the same brand of ball for many years, but that could be changing soon. Here’s a look at the what brand ball the NBA currently uses and what other options are out there.
NBA Branding
In 2006, the NBA entered into a partnership with Spalding to be the official ball supplier of the NBA. From that point on, all 30 NBA teams have used Spalding balls during games. This partnership is one of the longest and most successful in NBA history.
The NBA’s partnership with Nike
In June 2015, the NBA announced a partnership with Nike that would begin with the 2017-18 season. Nike would become the official on-court apparel provider for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA Development League, replacing Adidas. The new eight-year agreement allows Nike to supply all 30 NBA teams with uniforms and apparel, known as “on-court product,” including footwear, socks, practice jerseys, shooting shirts, and warm-ups.
According to Commissioner Adam Silver, “The Nike partnership represents a perfect fit for the NBA. We are excited about aligning with Nike, one of the world’s most iconic companies and trusted brands in sports.” A big part of the reasoning behind Silver’s excitement is because of Nike’s worldwide reach and its potential to help grow the game of basketball.
As part of the deal, all team uniforms will feature the Swoosh beginning with the 2017-18 season. In addition, each team is allowed to design four different uniform editions that they can choose to wear during any regular season game. At least two of those uniforms must be designated as home or away jerseys (a white home jersey and either a dark or light road jersey). franchises are also allowed to have a “classic” edition uniform that pays homage to a particular era in their team’s history; this can be worn up to eight times during the regular season. Finally, each team can have an alternate uniform that they can wear at their discretion.
The NBA’s partnership with Adidas
The NBA has a partnership with Adidas, and the current game ball is the Adidas TF-1000. The TF in the name stands for synthetic leather, which is a material that was used in basketballs before genuine leather became the standard. The 1000 is the number given to it by Adidas, and it’s their top-of-the-line ball.
Nike Basketball
Nike became the official outfitter of the NBA in 2017, ending a decades-long partnership between the league and apparel giant Adidas. All 30 NBA teams will exclusively wear Nike uniforms starting with the 2017-18 season. The new eight-year pact between the NBA and Nike was the most valuable partnership in the history of the league
The Nike Air Jordan
In 1984, Nike Basketball created the Air Jordan, signature shoes for one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan. Jordan changed the game of basketball and helped make Nike Basketball the powerhouse it is today. The Air Jordan is still one of the most popular shoes on the market, worn by some of the best players in the NBA.
The Nike LeBron James
The Nike LeBron James is the official ball of the NBA. It is used in every game and has been for several years. The ball is named after its creator, Nike co-founder and former University of Oregon track star Phil Knight. It is made out of a synthetic leather material that is designed to last longer and feel softer than the traditional basketball.
Adidas Basketball
In 2006, the NBA has been using Adidas Basketballs. Adidas is a worldwide sportswear company that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing, and accessories. Their balls are made of synthetic leather and are lined with butyl rubber, which provides good grip and feel.
The Adidas Crazy Light
The Adidas Crazy Light is a basketball shoe made by Adidas. It was first released in 2010 and was designed to be the lightest basketball shoe on the market. The Crazy Light was created as part of Adidas’ “Go Light” campaign, which aimed to design lighter products across all of their sports.
The Crazy Light 2, which was released in 2012, featured an updated design and construction. The shoe was made even lighter than the first version, weighing in at 9.8 ounces (279 grams).
Adidas has been the official NBA ball supplier since 2006, and the Crazy Light is the official ball of the league.
The Adidas D Rose
Adidas has been the official game ball provider of the NBA since 2006. In that time, they have introduced several different models of game balls, each with its own set of features and benefits. The current official game ball of the NBA is the Adidas D Rose.
The D Rose is named after NBA superstar Derrick Rose, who was an Adidas athlete at the time of its release. The ball is made of a microfiber composite leather material that is designed to offer excellent grip and feel. It has a butyl bladder for maximum air retention, and it is officially size 7.
The D Rose was first used in an NBA game in the 2013-14 season. It was well-received by players and quickly became the most popular ball in the league. Many players praised its excellent grip and feel, and it remains one of the most popular basketballs on the market today.
Conclusion
The answer seems to be that the NBA uses a Molten GG7 basketball for their official games. However, they have also been known to use Spalding balls as well.