Wilson’s NBA game ball will make a debut of sorts at the NBA Combine June 21-27 in Chicago, and the new rightsholder is showing off its new ball today. The first shipments of Wilson balls to NBA teams, under a 10-year deal, were recently completed. They won’t be used in games until next season. With the same specifications and leather supplier as the ball from Spalding, there are only a few cosmetic changes, including the brand switch from Spalding, which held NBA ball rights since 1983. Before that, NBA balls were made by Wilson.
NBA President of Global Partnerships Sal LaRocca said there has been extensive testing with players over months to ensure continuity with the product that is at the core of the league. As for the challenges of switching ball suppliers, considering the state of the world for the past 18 months? “We finalized and signed the deal at the beginning of the pandemic, in fact I had COVID at the time,’’ Wilson Team Sports GM Kevin Murphy said. “Everything considered, it went as smoothly as possible. … We had great collaboration from the league and players.’’
The supply chain problems that are slowing many businesses are also in play here, so Wilson.com will be the only place to buy the balls, priced at $150, starting July 29, the date of the NBA Draft, and likely for months thereafter. Balls at other price points, for indoor and outdoor use, and a full accessory line, including nets, ball carts, pumps, mini hoops and balls, and backpacks, are due at retail in mid-August. A supporting social/digital campaign from CAA, “Bonded by Ball,’’ showcasing basketball’s global nature, debuts in July. Wilson already has NCAA basketball rights and with its NBA rights, it will make and sell more basketballs than any company.
Wilson's NBA ball
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