22. Super Bowl footballs are hand made by Wilson
For each team playing in the Super Bowl, 108 footballs are provided. Half of the footballs are intended for practice sessions, the other 54 for the game. Each are hand-crafted and stitched by workers at Wilson’s factory in Ada, Ohio, though some stitches are assisted by sewing machines. Laces are tied by hand. The attention to detail surrounding the Super Bowl is by no means limited to the balls used. Players are given perks throughout the week leading up to the game, including loaner cars (usually from local car dealers). Fans aren’t so lucky. The average ticket price for the Super Bowl has reached well over $4,000, and they continue to go up.
Family and friends of the players also receive numerous perks, including comped meals and hotel rooms, and access to exclusive events, away from the public. Corporate-sponsored parties allow some access to fans but at a cost of hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Even the coin used for the ceremonial pregame coin toss is specially minted, different for each game, by the Highland Mint. Replicas of the coin can be purchased online. Besides becoming a de facto part of the American holiday season, the Super Bowl over the years has become a clear representation of conspicuous consumption, whether of the bowl of guacamole or expensive champagne in a luxury suite at the stadium. All indications are the game’s popularity will continue to grow, with some speculation of it one day being played in London’s Wembley Stadium.
Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“The History of the Super Bowl”. Robert Fleegler, The American Historian. Online
“Jets Shock Colts in Super Bowl, 16-7”. Dave Brady, The Washington Post. January 13, 1969
“A Brief History of Super Bowl Commercials”. Video, The Wall Street Journal. Online
“The History of Super Bowl Betting”. Jim Hall, Best US Casinos. January 1, 2021. Online
“Debunking those Super Bowl Myths”. Keely Brown, Summit Daily (Colorado). January 31, 2008
“Super Bowl Stadiums”. Article, Pro Football Hall of Fame. Online
“The Super Bowl’s Lucky White Uniforms”. Chris Creamer, SportsLogos.net. February 2, 2020
“A Brief History of NFL Blackouts”. Al Yellon, SBNation. September 14, 2010. Online
“Ranking All 52 Super Bowls”. Elliot Harrison, NFL.com. Online
“Tiffany’s Timeless Super Bowl Trophy Design”. Anthony DeMarco, Forbes Magazine. January 29, 2017
“Reagan’s Second Inauguration”. Article, The White House Historical Society. Online
“Should the NFL hold a Super Bowl in London?” Andrew Joseph, USA Today. May 1, 2018