What Happens to Losing Teams' Expensive Super Bowl Rings?

The Super Bowl, one of the most watched events in American sports, brings excitement, drama, and, of course, championship rings. The victorious team receives beautifully designed and produced rings immediately following their win. But have you ever wondered what happens to the rings of the losing teams? This article dives into the details of how and if rings are made for the losing team and explores the fascinating process behind the championship rings.

Customization and Design of Super Bowl Rings

Championship rings for the winning team are meticulously crafted, reflective of their specific journey to victory. These rings are designed in the months following the Super Bowl and incorporate elements from the season, the game itself, and any unique moments. For instance, the Super Bowl 52 ring for the Eagles featured 127 diamonds, symbolizing a significant moment during the game where the sum of the jersey numbers of three players involved in a trick play equaled 127 [Source 1]. Jostens, well-known for their high school and university class ring services, handles the production of these championship rings. After the game, representatives from the winning team visit Jostens headquarters to design the rings that will be presented to their players and key staff. These rings are highly customized, with no two rings being the same, and each design carries a personal touch that symbolizes the team's journey to the championship. It is clear that the rings are not pre-made or even ordered before the game but are produced months later, after the team's satisfaction with the design.

The Cost and Complexity of Super Bowl Rings

The cost of these rings can be astronomical. For example, a class ring from Jostens, made 12 years ago, cost around $900—a significant amount for such a design. Typically, a Super Bowl ring features numerous diamonds, making it a much more expensive piece of jewelry. While the winning team proudly displays these rings, the losing team often does not create rings for every member or at the same level of detail. In fact, the design and production of championship rings for the losing team are not a priority [Source 2]. If the losing team does choose to create rings, they are usually made as a way to commemorate the accomplishment of reaching the Super Bowl. These rings are generally simpler and less expensive, often only serving a symbolic purpose instead of being a display of wealth and status [Source 3].

The Super Bowl T-Shirts and Their Afterlife

Another often-overlooked aspect of the Super Bowl is the advance manufacturing of team T-shirts. These shirts are typically produced in large quantities, anticipating the demand for merchandise that fans will purchase. However, what happens to these T-shirts once the losing team is crowned champion? They are often sold or donated to countries where the loss is less of a concern for football fans. The Super Bowl T-shirts provide a revenue stream, but their ultimate fate is determined by the success of the team [Source 4].

Conclusion

While the Super Bowl focuses on the winning team's celebration and the luxurious rings they receive, it's interesting to learn about the processes and decisions that lead to the creation—or lack thereof—of championship rings for the losing team. These aspects highlight the business and marketing strategies behind the most-watched game of the year. Ultimately, the focus is on the winning team's success, and the rings reflect this achievement. However, the losing team's journey and future plans, including T-shirt sales, also play a significant role in the overall production and marketing strategies of the day.

[Sources used: 1, 2, 3, 4]