It’s the greatest sporting event in the world. Of course, as Americans, we’re partial. There’s no question it transcends the die-hard sports fan. Super Bowl XLV unseated the final episode of M*A*S*H as the most watched television program in history, a record that that iconic show held for 27 years. For the players, the payoff is that sweet ring that they get to flash around for the rest of their lives. Not many people are lucky enough to own one of these rings and those that get their hands on one consider them a cherished acquisition for their collection. For fans, owning one of the few distributed to the winning organization is a thrill. You can find both replica and authentic Super Bowl rings for sale online.
Super Bowl rings are designed by companies of the winning teams choosing such as Balfour or Jostens. The layout is planned in cooperation between the team and design company 2-3 months after the Super Bowl is played and constructed for presentation to the defending champions at what is usually a private, off-season celebration at team headquarters.
Players are not the only ones to get rings. The coaches, staff and many others within the organization are presented with championship rings although they are usually of lesser quality and do not possess the monetary value of the players’ rings.
The first rings that were manufactured for Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers for their 1967 championship season were made from gold, as are other Super Bowl rings, and adorned by an assortment precious stones, most notably diamonds. A ring from Super Bowl I, given to lineman Steve Wright, recently sold at auction for over $70,000.
A simple diamond arrangement adorned the inaugural ring, which is a far cry the gaudy designs of today that spell team names and outline Roman numerals with diamonds. For instance the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII ring is encrusted with a whooping 63 diamonds. But always one side of the ring depicts the Super Bowl / NFL logo, the year and the final score while the other side is customized as per the team’s wishes and normally the teams colors are integrated into the design.
As stunning as these specimens are and for as much sentimental value that they might posses it seems unlikely that Super Bowl rings would turn up for sale on the open market, but they do. Oft times former players fall on hard times and need to sell the ring for much needed money or as as was the case of retired New England Patriot Je’Rod Cherry, in one of the classier moves by a professional athlete, sold raffle tickets for two dollars apiece for a chance to win his 2002 championship ring for charity. When it was all said and done, Cherry had raised over $170,000 for needy children.
In August 2011, the man believed to be the greatest punter of all-time, Ray Guy of the Oakland Raiders’ great teams of the 1970s and early 80s, was forced to sell his authentic Super Bowl rings at auction after filing for bankruptcy. They were expected to bring close to $100,000.
Regardless of the reason they are out there, most sport buffs would be ecstatic to have one for their collection. You can find Super Bowl rings for sale online via eBay and major sports memorabilia auctions. Of course, they range greatly in price from a few thousand dollars for prototypes or “salesman samples” to tens of thousands of dollars for the real deal.
Super Bowl rings for sale online are a hot commodity these days. Collectors and wealthy fans of a particular team covet them. As sports collectibles go, these are rare items that very few people actually own but if you have the resources, obtaining one is just a mouse click away. Look below to get started.
