An official NFL football, the Wilson “The Duke,” costs about $160 at retail, and some sellers charge up to about $180. It is the same leather ball, made in the same factory in Ada, Ohio, as the footballs used in NFL games. If you want the look without the price, Wilson’s composite Duke Replica sells for about $50, and basic team logo or youth footballs cost $15 to $40.
NFL Football Prices at a Glance
Who Makes the Official NFL Football
Wilson has been the NFL’s official football since 1941, the longest official ball partnership in pro sports, and no other company makes NFL game balls. The ball is nicknamed “The Duke” after Wellington Mara, the longtime New York Giants owner, who was called the Duke by Giants players when he was a boy on the sideline. Every game ball is handmade at Wilson’s factory in Ada, Ohio, from leather supplied by the Horween Leather Company in Chicago.
Why the Official Ball Costs So Much
The price comes from the materials and the handwork. The Duke uses four panels of Horween cowhide, tanned for grip, that are cut, stitched inside out, turned right side out and laced by hand. Each ball is inspected before it ships, and the retail version is built to the same pattern as the game ball, though Wilson notes that balls used in NFL games can have stricter tolerances. Composite balls like the Replica skip the leather and most of the handwork, which is why they cost about a third as much.
Leather vs. Composite: Which Should You Buy?
A leather Duke is the choice for collectors, autographs and players who want the real feel, but new leather is slick out of the box and needs to be broken in, which is what NFL equipment staffs do to every game ball before kickoff. A composite ball has more grip immediately, holds up better in rain and on pavement, and is the better pick for backyard games and younger players. Official size, called size 9, is right for high school and older; kids usually need a junior or youth size.
What About Game Used and Autographed Footballs?
These are priced as collectibles, not equipment. A ball signed by a current star typically sells for a few hundred dollars with proper authentication, and historic game used balls can sell for far more at auction. Buy from sellers that provide authentication from a recognized company, since unverified autographs are common.
How Many Footballs Are Used in an NFL Game?
Dozens. The home team must provide a supply of footballs for each game, more for outdoor games than for domes, and the visiting team can bring its own. Kicking plays use a separate set of balls, known as K balls, that are tightly controlled by the league and game officials. If a player hands or throws a ball into the stands, the fan usually gets to keep it.
The Bottom Line
Expect to pay about $160 for the official leather NFL football, about $50 for the Duke Replica, and less than $40 for a team logo or youth ball. For more on the ball itself, see why the NFL football is darker.
Product details from Wilson and pricing from the Pro Football Hall of Fame shop.