Winning the Super Bowl brings more than a trip to Disney World and a nice financial bonus, it also gives players access to some of the best gems on the planet.
A Super Bowl ring, in some ways, has more prestige than the Lombardi trophy. It’s definitely more permanent, as players don’t have to return them after a year. Part of what makes them special, though, is their unique nature.
No two Super Bowl rings are the same. Some are diamond-encrusted and gaudy. Some are subtle. And, in general, practically no one knows how much they cost.
The exact cost of producing a Super Bowl ring is a secret that the league chooses not to publicize. But there is some evidence that costs have increased as the rings become more and more flashy.
Who will get a Super Bowl ring?
It’s not just about players and coaches! Team owners have the freedom to offer a Super Bowl ring to anyone they want and that often includes cheerleaders and even janitors. And the 2020 collective bargaining agreement establishes rules that ensure practice squad players also receive a ring, although these can be of “lesser value” if team owners prefer.
How much does it cost to make a Super Bowl ring?
The price for a Super Bowl ring varies, often considerably. While the league doesn’t provide figures, some reports put the cost of a set of team rings at around $5 million. And the more owners want them, the higher the price. In 2015, the New England Patriots gave players a 205-diamond ring, which cost $5.475 million, about $36,500 each (according to ESPN).
Only a portion of that cost is covered by the NFL, roughly $5,000 to $7,000 per ring. Team owners pay the rest.
How much is a Super Bowl ring worth?
Of course, this varies by year, but in those rare cases where former players put their rings up for auction, prices skyrocket, often topping $100,000.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft once sold his Super Bowl LI ring for charity, with the winning bidder paying more than $1 million.
Does the losing team get a Super Bowl ring?
Just as players on the losing Super Bowl team receive a nice financial bonus for playing in the Big Game, they also end up with some gems of their own, even if they’re a little less prestigious. Those players receive a conference championship ring, which might be a little less flashy, but they’re still showcases.
Who makes the Super Bowl rings?
Most of the time it would be Jostens. The jeweler, perhaps best known for its high school and college ring business, made 38 of the 57 Super Bowl rings, including the first, designed by Vince Lombardi himself. Other rings were made by Balfour and Tiffany’s.