Wilson Sporting Goods
| File:Wilson logo.svg | |
| Formerly | Ashland Manufacturing Company (1913–31) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private (1913–67) Subsidiary (1967–present) |
| Industry | Sports equipment |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Fate | Acquired by Ling-Temco-Vought in 1967, then other owners |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , U.S. |
| Products | Balls, rackets, shuttlecocks, uniforms, apparel |
| Brands | Wilson Staff |
| $930 million (2010) | |
Number of employees | 1,600 |
| Parent | Amer Sports |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | wilson.com |
The Wilson Sporting Goods Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in sports equipment, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Wilson offers a broad range of products catering to sports such as baseball, badminton, American football, basketball, fastpitch softball, golf, racquetball, soccer, squash, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball.
Since 1989, the company has operated as a subsidiary under the Finnish retail group Amer Sports.
History
Wilson's roots trace back to the New York-based meatpacking enterprise "Schwarzschild & Sulzberger." In 1913, Sulzberger & Son founded the "Ashland Manufacturing Company" to repurpose animal by-products from slaughterhouses. Its initial production included tennis and violin strings alongside surgical sutures before expanding into baseball footwear and tennis racquets.
In 1915, leadership changed when Thomas E. Wilson—previously president of Morris & Company—took over and rebranded the business as the "Thomas E. Wilson Company." The firm broadened its portfolio by adding athletic uniforms and golf balls and later extended into manufacturing footballs and basketballs.
By 1918, Thomas E. Wilson departed to concentrate on beef-packing operations; nonetheless, the packing company retained ownership until its 1967 sale to Ling-Temco-Vought. Under Lawrence Blaine Icely’s presidency, Wilson acquired Chicago Sporting Goods Company and secured a supply contract with the Chicago Cubs. Arch Turner was recruited to design leather footballs.
In 1922, Wilson launched the Ray Schalk catcher's mitt and partnered with Knute Rockne to innovate football equipment. The company adopted the name "Wilson-Western Sporting Goods" in 1925 following a distribution partnership.
Following Rockne’s passing, Wilson shifted focus toward golf equipment development and introduced the R-90 sand wedge inspired by Gene Sarazen's victory at the 1932 British Open.
The company was renamed "Wilson Sporting Goods Company" in 1931. During World War II, Wilson created the Duke football—crafted by hand with premium leather—which became the official ball of the NFL in 1941; this collaboration remains active. Horween Leather Company has since served as its main supplier of pebbled cowhide for both footballs and basketballs.
Wilson was also designated as the official game ball supplier for the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which preceded the NBA, from 1946 through 1983.
After World War II, Wilson concentrated on tennis equipment development with endorsement from Jack Kramer who developed a signature racket series. The company further expanded by acquiring Ohio-Kentucky Manufacturing in 1955 to enhance football production capabilities.
In 1964, Wilson purchased Wonder Products Company and shifted its custom-molded division toward manufacturing protective sports gear including football face masks and baseball catcher's leg guards.
Ownership transitioned when Ling-Temco-Vought acquired Wilson in 1967 followed by PepsiCo in 1970. During this era, Wilson supplied official balls for both NBA and NFL games and provided uniforms for most Major League Baseball teams as well as U.S. Olympic squads.
Wilson tennis balls made their debut at the US Open in 1979 and have been used continuously since; they were also adopted by the Australian Open starting in 2006. In 1985, Westray Capital Corporation took ownership through WSGC Holdings; by 1989 it merged with Bogey Acquisitions associated with Amer Sports.
In May 2020, Wilson resumed its role as official game ball provider for both the NBA and WNBA beginning with the 2021 season after replacing Spalding’s 37-year tenure.
Products
Wilson produces and markets a wide array of sports equipment. Its offerings cover various categories, including:
| Sport | Product Range |
|---|---|
| American football | Footballs |
| Badminton | Rackets |
| Baseball | Balls, bats (featuring the DeMarini brand), batting gloves, uniforms, protective equipment (helmets, shin guards, shoulder pads) |
| Basketball | Basketballs |
| Fastpitch softball | Softballs, protective gear |
| Golf | Clubs, balls, bags, apparel |
| Paddle tennis | Paddles |
| Pickleball | Paddles, balls, footwear, bags |
| Platform tennis | Paddles |
| Racquetball | Rackets, balls, shoes |
| Soccer | Soccer balls |
| Squash | Rackets |
| Tennis | Rackets and strings, grips, balls, shoes, apparel, bags |
| Volleyball | Volleyballs |
| General accessories | Bags, gloves, shin guards |
Louisville Slugger
Since 1884, the Louisville Slugger brand has been integral to professional baseball. It gained early recognition through Honus Wagner’s endorsement in 1905—one of the first athlete endorsements in sports—and later rose to fame with icons like Babe Ruth. In 2015, Wilson expanded its baseball division by acquiring Louisville Slugger from Hillerich & Bradsby for $70 million. This acquisition complemented Wilson’s existing DeMarini brand within its baseball portfolio. Although Hillerich & Bradsby continues as an independent manufacturer and remains the exclusive supplier for Wilson, it also manages the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory located in Kentucky, underscoring the brand’s rich heritage and market presence.
P72 baseball bat
Introduced in 1954 by Hillerich & Bradsby, the P72 Louisville Slugger bat quickly became a favorite among professional players. Legendary Hall of Famers such as Cal Ripken Jr. and Robin Yount utilized this model extensively. Notably, Derek Jeter relied on the P72 for every at bat throughout his 20-year MLB career, ordering more than 3,700 bats. On September 25, 2014, this iconic model was retired and renamed DJ2 in tribute to Jeter’s jersey number 2. The rights to the P72 name remain with descendants of Les Pinkham. Additionally, Louisville Slugger dedicated the last 72 P72 bats to Jeter for charitable purposes via his Turn 2 Foundation.
American football
Wilson has served as the official supplier of game balls for the NFL since 1941 and for the CFL beginning in 1995. The company also provided footballs to now-defunct leagues such as the UFL and AAF, along with various collegiate and high school programs.
Baseball
Wilson’s baseball glove lineup features three main series: A2K, A2000, and A1000. The top-tier A2K gloves are crafted from Pro Stock Select leather and retail at approximately US$399. The A2000 series uses Pro Stock leather with a price point near US$299. Entry-level A1000 gloves are offered at around US$149. Popular glove patterns include datdude, 1786, Dp15 among others to suit diverse player preferences.
Basketball
Wilson holds official ball supplier status for numerous leagues and competitions such as FIBA, the NBA, WNBA, NCAA basketball tournaments, the CEBL, and the BAL.
In May 2024, prominent basketball player Caitlin Clark entered into a multiyear agreement with Wilson to become a brand ambassador and creative director for her own basketball product line. Clark is notable for being the first athlete since Michael Jordan in the 1980s—and the first female athlete ever—to launch a signature basketball collection with Wilson. This partnership represents a major advancement in Wilson’s market reach and brand development.
Golf
The golf sector of Wilson Sporting Goods is represented by Wilson Staff, which provides an extensive selection of golf gear, accessories, and apparel under the Wilson Staff, ProStaff, and Ultra labels. This division enjoys a significant presence in the market, supported by endorsements from legendary golfers such as Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer, and Ben Crenshaw—whose Wilson 8802 putter, known as Little Ben, has become a symbol in the sport. Present-day ambassadors include major titleholders like Pádraig Harrington, further strengthening Wilson’s position within the competitive golf landscape.
Soccer
Wilson holds the role of official ball provider for NCAA soccer across the United States, solidifying its influence in collegiate athletics. Additionally, the company manufactures referee jerseys for Liga MX, broadening its international footprint in soccer-related equipment and apparel.
Tennis
As a premier producer of tennis rackets and related equipment, Wilson is renowned for its Pro Staff series, famously wielded by players such as Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. This line demonstrates Wilson’s commitment to innovation and performance while leveraging high-profile athlete endorsements to enhance market penetration. Federer's association with the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph exemplifies Wilson’s strategic emphasis on top-tier products aimed at both professional and recreational players.
In 2009, Wilson introduced the BLX range to succeed the K-Factor series, integrating advanced technology to maintain its competitive edge. The brand also offers customized racket models developed to meet the precise needs of professional athletes.
Wilson supplies official tennis balls for prestigious tournaments including the US Open and, starting in 2020, the French Open—boosting brand exposure and driving growth within tennis. The company’s offerings also encompass footwear, strings, apparel, and racquet bags, supporting a well-rounded portfolio in the tennis sector.
Wilson's tennis ball product lineup
| Wilson US Open 1 ball | Wilson 2 ball | Wilson US Open 3 ball | Wilson 100 Ball |
Volleyball
Wilson is recognized as the official ball provider for the AVP and expanded its reach through a 2021 collaboration with Crossnet, enhancing its presence in the volleyball market.
In popular culture
The volleyball produced by Wilson achieved iconic recognition after its prominent role in the movie Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks. The character’s emotional bond with the ball named "Wilson" significantly increased brand awareness. In response, Wilson Sporting Goods released special edition volleyballs featuring the distinctive "face" from the film.
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Wilson Sporting Goods
- 1913 establishments in Illinois
- 1989 mergers and acquisitions
- Manufacturing companies based in Chicago
- Manufacturing companies established in 1913
- American companies established in 1913
- Sporting goods brands
- Sporting goods manufacturers of the United States
- Sportswear brands
- Tennis equipment manufacturers
- American subsidiaries of foreign companies
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment