Picture this: confetti raining down, champions hoisting the Lombardi trophy, and the coveted Super Bowl ring. Winning the Super Bowl is quite an accomplishment, but the ring – that’s the real star of the show. A symbol of a champion, more permanent than the trophy itself, the Super Bowl ring carries immense prestige and an air of mystery, as the true cost of these glitzy pieces remains a well-guarded secret.
What’s fascinating about these rings is their uniqueness. No two years’ Super Bowl rings are identical. Some are encrusted with diamonds, while others take a more subtle approach. However, the price tags for these rings aren’t as subtle as their designs might suggest.
Who’s lucky enough to get a Super Bowl ring?
Well, it’s not just the players and coaches. Team owners have the privilege to award a Super Bowl ring to virtually anyone they deem worthy. This could be cheerleaders, janitors, and as per the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement, even practice squad players. Although these rings may be of “lesser value,” they are still symbols of the team’s triumph.
The Million-Dollar Question: What’s the cost?
The exact cost of these championship rings remains undisclosed by the league, but there are a few hints. Some estimates suggest the cost of a set of team rings could be around $5 million or more. The fancier the ring, the higher the price. For instance, in 2015, the New England Patriots’ ring, adorned with 205 diamonds, cost a whopping $5.475 million, averaging $36,500 per ring, according to ESPN. While the NFL picks up part of the tab, team owners foot the majority of the bill.
What’s the resale value?
The value of these rings can skyrocket when they hit the auction block. Some former players have auctioned their rings for over $100,000. In one remarkable instance, Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft sold his Super Bowl LI ring for charity, fetching a staggering $1 million.
But what about the team that doesn’t win the Super Bowl? Do they get a ring? Yes, they do. The losing team receives a conference championship ring – not quite the Super Bowl ring, but still a piece of jewelry to be proud of.
So, who’s responsible for creating these stunning pieces? More often than not, it’s Jostens. This jeweler, usually associated with high school and college rings, has crafted 38 of the 57 Super Bowl rings to date, including the first one designed by Vince Lombardi himself. Other companies like Balfour and Tiffany’s have also had the honor of crafting these tokens of victory.
Winning the Super Bowl is a monumental accomplishment, and the ring serves as a permanent reminder of the blood, sweat, and tears that led to that moment. With their unique designs and immense value, these rings are more than just pieces of jewelry – they are symbols of victory, perseverance, and the pinnacle of American football.
