The NBA announced Wednesday that the Wilson brand will be the official supplier of balloons starting in the 2021-2022 season, ending an almost 40-year partnership with Spalding. "The NBA and Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announce a multi-year global partnership that will make Wilson the official ball of the NBA, the Women's League (WNBA), the G League Development League, the NBA 2K Virtual League and the African basketball league (BAL), "the statement said.
Back to basics for the 75 years
Wilson was the first company to make basketballs for the NBA in 1946, a partnership that had lasted 37 years. Spalding had succeeded him in 1983 and will therefore have been the supplier of the league for 38 years. The return of Wilson balloons to the courts in 2021 will coincide with the NBA's 75th anniversary.
"Our commitment to developing basketball on the world stage is at the heart of Wilson and our new partnership with the NBA," said Kevin Murphy, general manager of the brand. Wilson balls will be created with the same leather and specifications as those currently used by the players, who will be invited to make suggestions for their development.
The quality of the ball is far from an anecdotal subject in the NBA. In 2006 Spalding introduced a revolutionary new model in synthetic material rather than leather. Players quickly complained about the quality of the bounce and the slippery aspect of the sphere, prompting the NBA and the brand to revert to the old model.
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