Who Makes the Official NBA Game Ball?
Contents
The NBA has a long tradition of using only the highest quality game balls. So who makes the official NBA game ball?
The Official NBA Game Ball
The official game ball of the NBA is produced by Spalding, a company that has been making basketballs since 1876. The current official game ball has been used since 2006, and it is made of Leather. The ball is produced in the United States and costs around $100.
The Spalding Company
Spalding is the official game ball supplier for the NBA, a position it has held since 1983. The company also provides game balls for the WNBA and for practices and pre-game shootarounds in both leagues.
Spalding produces several versions of its flagship basketball, the TF-1000 Legacy, which is approved for use in both the NBA and NCAA. The Legacy is available in two different models: an indoor/outdoor version and an outdoor only version. Each model is available in three different sizes: official size 7 (29.5 inches), intermediate size 6 (28.5 inches), and youth size 5 (27.5 inches).
The TF-1000 Legacy was introduced in 2006 and replacing the older TF-100 model as the official game ball of the NBA. The new ball was designed to have greater durability, improved moisture resistance, and better overall feel than its predecessor. It also features Spalding’s patented moisture management system, which helps keep the ball dry and gripable even in humid conditions.
In addition to producing game balls for professional and collegiate basketball leagues, Spalding also manufactures basketballs for recreational use by athletes of all ages and skill levels. The company’s line of recreational basketballs includes its “Pro Touch” series, which are designed to mimic the feel of professional game balls, as well as its “Street” series, which are built to withstand heavy use on concrete playgrounds and asphalt streets.
The Wilson Sporting Goods Company
The Wilson Sporting Goods Company is an American company that manufactures sporting equipment and clothing. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Wilson was founded in 1913 by Thomas E. Wilson and has been a subsidiary of the Finnish company Amer Sports since 1989. Amer Sports is the world’s largest sports equipment manufacturer, with Wilson, its only American brand.
The Unofficial NBA Game Ball
There are a lot of basketballs on the market, but not all of them are created equal. The official NBA game ball is made by Spalding and is a high-quality basketball that is used in all NBA games. However, there is also an unofficial NBA game ball that is made by Wilson.
The Molten GL7 Basketball
The Molten GL7 basketball is the official game ball of the NBA. It is also used by FIBA, the international governing body for basketball. The ball features a full-grain leather cover, which makes it very durable. It also has a butyl bladder, which helps to keep the ball inflated.
The Baden Elite Basketball
The Baden Elite Basketball is the official game ball of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is manufactured by Baden Sports, a company based in Renton, Washington. The ball was first used in the NBA during the 1983-84 season.
The Elite is made of full-grain leather and has a 28.5-inch circumference. It is available in both an indoor and an outdoor version. The outdoor ball has a rubberized surface for better grip and durability.
The ball is also used in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA G League (formerly the Development League).
Other NBA-Approved Game Balls
Fans of the NBA know that the game ball is an important part of the game. The ball must meet certain specifications in order to be used in an NBA game. But who makes the official NBA game ball? The answer may surprise you.
The Under Armour 495
In addition to the Wilson Official NBA Game Ball, the league has also approved the Under Armour 495 for use in regular season games. The 495 is Under Armour’s first glass basketball and features a deep channel design for better control.
The Adidas Top Ten 2000
Adidas has been supplying the official game ball for the NBA since 2006, but they were actually one of the first companies to provide a ball for the league back in 1983. The Adidas Top Ten 2000 was the official ball of the NBA for eleven seasons, from 1983 to 1994. The ball was made of leather and had an embossed pattern that many players found to be too slippery. In 1986, a new version of the Top Ten 2000 was released with a synthetic leather cover that was supposed to be less slippery. However, players still complained about the ball and it was eventually replaced by the Wilson soaring eagle in 1995.