Who Makes the Official NFL Footballs?

Wilson makes the official NFL footballs. They have been making them since 1941 when they were the selected company to succeed Spalding.

The Wilson Football Factory

Wilson is the company that has been making the official NFL footballs since 1941. Each football is handcrafted with care and precision. The Wilson Football Factory is located in Ada, Ohio. About 700 skilled workers make the NFL footballs here.

The History of Wilson

The Wilson Sporting Goods Company was founded in 1913 by Thomas E. Wilson in Chicago, Illinois. The company originally started out as a manufacturer of baseballs and other sports equipment. In 1955, the company became the official supplier of balls to the National Football League. Since then, Wilson has been the exclusive provider of NFL game balls.

Each year, Wilson produces roughly 700,000 footballs at its factory in Ada, Ohio. The factory employs around 400 workers, many of whom are responsible for hand-stitching the balls. The footballs are made from cowhides that are shipped from ranches in Nebraska and Kansas.

The process of making an NFL football is quite complex and involves over 100 steps. The ball starts out as a slab of leather that is cut into pieces and then sent through a machine that stamps out the panels for the ball. The panels are then hand-sewn together and the ball is inflated. Once the ball is inflated, it is dipped in a water-based adhesive and then left to dry. After it dries, a machine prints the NFL logo and other markings on the ball. Finally, the ball is inspected for defects and then packaged for shipment.

The Process of Making an NFL Football

The footballs used in the National Football League (NFL) are manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods, which has been the league’s official provider since 1941. Each ball is made from cowhide leather and has a set of raised stripes running around its circumference. The manufacturing process begins with the selection of hides, which are then cut into large pieces that will be used to make the ball’s cover.

After the hide is cut, it is sent to a tannery where it is turned into leather. Once the leather has been treated, it is sent to Wilson’s factory in Ada, Ohio, where it is cut into panels that will be used to make the ball’s cover. The panels are stitched together and then the ball’s natural rubber bladder is inserted. Finally, the ball is inflated and tested for leaks.

The Rawlings Football Factory

In the small town of Ada, Ohio, sits a tiny factory that pumps out over 700 footballs a day. This factory, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., has been the exclusive manufacturer of NFL game balls since 1941. Inside the factory, workers cut, stitch, and sew the same pattern of leather over and over again.

The History of Rawlings

Rawlings has been the official supplier of NFL footballs since 1941, and the company has a long and storied history. Founded in 1887, Rawlings began as a baseball company, and it wasn’t until 1955 that the company began producing footballs.

Rawlings has been through a lot of changes over the years, but one thing has remained consistent: the quality of their products. Rawlings footballs are handcrafted from start to finish, and each one is individually inspected to ensure that it meets the highest standards.

The Rawlings Football Factory is located in Ada, Oklahoma, and it employs around 200 people. The factory is open to visitors, and it’s a fascinating place to see how these iconic balls are made.

If you’re ever in Ada, make sure to stop by the Rawlings Football Factory!

The Process of Making an NFL Football

The footballs used in the National Football League (NFL) are manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods, which has been the league’s official supplier since 1941. The Wilson football factory is located in Ada, Ohio, and all of the balls that are used in NFL games are made at this facility.

The process of making an NFL football is a complex one that involves several steps. The first step is to cut the cowhide into panels that will be used to make the covers of the footballs. Once the panels are cut, they are sent to a tannery where they are dyed and treated.

After the tanning process is complete, the panels are sent to a stamping company where logos and other markings are added to them. Once they have been stamped, the panels are sent back to the Wilson factory where they are cut into Pattern E shapes.

These Pattern E shapes are then sewn together by hand and turned inside out so that the seams are hidden. The next step is to add the bladder, which is made from latex rubber. Once the bladder is in place, it is inflated with air and then inserted into a mold.

The mold determines the shape of the football and helps keep its shape during play. After it has cooled, a valve is added to the football so that it can be inflated later on. The last step in making an NFL football is to add the stitching that holds everything together. This stitching is done by hand and uses special thread that is designed not to break during game play.

The Comparison

Wilson, Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour all have a claim to make the official NFL football. However, there can only be one. In this article, we will take a look at the pros and cons of each company to see who should have the title of making the official NFL football.

The Differences Between the Two Companies

Wilson and Nike are the two companies that supply the official game balls for the NFL. There are some subtle differences between the two, but for the most part, they are very similar.

One of the biggest differences is that Wilson uses a hand-sewn construction for its footballs, while Nike uses a machine-sewn construction. This difference doesn’t actually affect the performance of the ball, but some players prefer the feel of a hand-sewn ball.

Another difference is that Wilson’s footballs have a distinctive pebbling pattern on their surface, while Nike’s balls have a smooth surface. This pebbling helps players get a better grip on the ball, but it can also cause the ball to bounce more erratically.

Finally, Nike’s footballs tend to be slightly larger than Wilson’s balls. This is because Nike makes its footballs to meet NCAA specifications, while Wilson makes its footballs to meet NFL specifications. The difference in size is typically only an issue for quarterbacks who have specific preferences for their balls.

The Similarities Between the Two Companies

The two companies that make the official NFL footballs are Wilson and Nike. Both companies have been in the business of making footballs for many years and have gained a reputation for quality.

There are several similarities between the two companies. Both use leather for their footballs, and both use a synthetic material for the inner lining of the ball. The balls are also both made in China.

There are some differences between the two companies, as well. Nike uses a different kind of leather for its footballs, and its balls have a different type of stitching. The company also offers a wider range of sizes for its footballs than Wilson does.