At the same time, Wilson unveiled its new factory in Ada, OH, where it makes the Wilson footballs, which are now also the official football of the NFL’s international Flag programs.

“Wilson and the NFL are one of the most iconic relationships in sports, dating back over 80 years,” says Kevin Murphy, global general manager of Team Sports at Wilson. “Since then, Wilson has been part of every snap, pass and touchdown in NFL history. We are thrilled to build upon this partnership as we continue to work with the league on growing the game globally and open opportunities for everyone to be part of the sport.”

“The NFL’s time-honored partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is integral to our past, present and future, with ‘The Duke’ at the forefront of every NFL game played since 1941,” adds Ryan Samuelson, VP–consumer products at the NFL. “Renewing and expanding our relationship with a partner so ingrained into our culture is paramount for the league to continue to grow the game and the opening of the new football factory is a testament to Wilson’s commitment to NFL football.”

Every Wilson NFL Duke game football is handcrafted at Wilson’s facilities in Ada, OH, through a 20-step process. Wilson’s football factory is the world’s oldest factory, producing only game-ready leather footballs, and the new facility nearly doubles the capacity of the previous plant.

Wilson says it “gives the true craftsmen and craftswomen in Ada, who craft each football by hand, more space to continue their game-changing work and the opportunity for Wilson to continue innovating, designing and offering the top product in sport.”

The new facility includes a football museum celebrating iconic Wilson and NFL moments, a pop-up shop and manufacturing tours. The facility is also home to product testing, ball customization and Wilson’s game-ready product break-in process.

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