Workers at the Wilson Sporting Goods football factory are ramping up efforts as they prepare for this year’s Super Bowl, showcasing their dedication to creating the very game balls used by the NFL. Located in the rural village of Ada, Ohio, the factory has become synonymous with quality, crafting footballs for every NFL team, as well as many top-tier colleges and high schools.
With the recent matchup announcement of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles for the Super Bowl set for February 9, 2025, the pressure is on. Kasey Patton, the plant manager at Wilson, expressed the excitement within the factory as workers realize the importance of their contributions. “People are just really impressed with the process. They never think there’s so much work goes on making a full-grain leather, high-quality football,” Patton stated.
For 59 years, the commitment and hard work at the Ada factory have kept it at the heart of the Super Bowl experience. This past weekend, as the two NFL teams celebrated their way to the championship, employees at the Wilson factory stamped their names on leather destined to be turnedinto the game balls. Patton remarked, “This is really a dream job,” highlighting the pride the staff takes during what could be considered the busiest time of the year.
Teams headed to the big game will each receive 108 footballs, all painstakingly crafted and tested to meet strict quality standards. After the balls are expertly laced and molded, they undergo extensive checks to guarantee high performance on the field. “We test 10 different points on the ball for quality,” Patton explained. “They then straighten the laces, make sure they are nice and tight, and get packed and sent to the teams at this point.”
The excitement is palpable, not just for the players and fans but also for the Ada workers who take pride knowing their product will be featured during the most-watched sporting event of the year. “They realize what they do here. They know their product is going to be on the biggest stage in the world,” Patton added, referring to the worldwide audience expecting excellence from each ball.
Adding to the factory's visibility this year, employees will also take part in the NFL Experience, set up at the convention center in New Orleans before the Super Bowl. “Myself and part of my team will be flying out on the 2nd and will be setting up a mini roadshow,” Patton shared, highlighting the opportunity for factory workers to showcase their craftsmanship directly to fans.
These dedicated workers of the Wilson factory are not just creating balls; they are helping shape the legacy of the game itself. Every stitch, every lacing—each element is imbued with their hard work and determination. The anticipation for Super Bowl Sunday, coupled with the pride these workers feel, makes it clear they are part of something much bigger. Fans around the nation and even across the world will tune in on February 9 to witness how these footballs perform, all thanks to the relentless efforts of the factory staff.
At the end of the day, the fundamental role played by Wilson Sporting Goods and its workers gets to the heart of what the Super Bowl is all about—teamwork, dedication, and pride. This year, as fans eagerly await the kickoff, they can take solace knowing their championship experience is rooted deep within the skilled hands of those at the Wilson factory.