Bulk Footballs

Football is the most popular sport in the US, with 74.5% of Americans following it.

This market is experiencing growth due to the increasing popularity of leagues like the National Football League (NFL) and sports-related activities or venues such as sports clubs.

Due to this, various types of football equipment, like balls, are in high demand.

In fact, the Wilson Football Factory produces a wide range of footballs and provides 60,000 balls yearly to NFL teams.

By tapping into this segment, you can cater to sports fans and profit from year-round games and matches.

What to Look for When Buying Footballs in Bulk?

As a retailer, you should focus on:

Quality

Quality is something that can’t be ignored when buying footballs.

Before purchasing, you can order samples from manufacturers to check aspects like the outer layer, lining, and bladder type.

The outer layer of a high-quality football is made from PU (polyurethane), so always inspect that first.

There are many layers of lining between the cover and the bladder to enhance the football's strength, but you can determine its quality by a foam layer that is added for softness.

Latex and butyl bladders are most commonly used in footballs, but butyl bladders are a better option as they retain air longer than latex bladders.

Make sure you purchase footballs with a butyl bladder.

Range and Sizes

Offering a diverse range of footballs in different sizes, colors, and styles will attract more customers.

For example, the size of an adult football will differ from that of a child’s.

For these children's footballs, ensure that the designs are as varied and stylish as those for adults.

Standard Approval

There are some guidelines you need to follow before buying footballs, as your balls might need to meet the specifications for use in competitions.

You should look for:

• National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) approval, as the balls used in American high school competitions must be NFHS approved.
• Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) approval, and there are three levels of that: FIFA Basic, FIFA Quality, and FIFA Quality Pro, the latter only for the highest quality balls.
• International Matchball Standard (IMS) approval, which is for moderate to high-quality balls.

The Super Bowl: A Touchdown in Retail

The Super Bowl was watched by over 115 million people across the US this year, making it the most popular TV program of all time.

This has a huge effect on the retail industry, as each team brings 24 balls during every NFL game, which then rises to 54 balls for each team during the Super Bowl, increasing the sales value of footballs.

Therefore, you should stock up on footballs before the next NFL/Super Bowl season so that you can be well prepared before it starts.