Extending a relationship that began in fall 2002, the NCAA will continue its partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. as the Official Game Ball of all NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Divisions I, II and III Championships. Under the agreement, Wilson will remain the Official NCAA Game Ball and retain the sole rights to manufacture NCAA-branded basketballs for players worldwide.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be associated with NCAA Basketball,” says Wilson President Chris Considine. “We have earned this right by focusing all of our efforts on the student-athlete, our product performance and servicing the needs of the NCAA staff in managing the Championships. We truly respect and appreciate this opportunity.”

“The NCAA has extended its relationship with Wilson based on the quality and performance of the NCAA Game Ball,” says Greg Shaheen, NCAA SVP for basketball and business strategies. “The consistent feedback from student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators on the equipment and service from Wilson is outstanding. Wilson and the NCAA are committed to growing the game and we look forward to doing this together.”

Under the agreement, the Wilson NCAA Game Ball will be used in Division I, II and III men’s and women’s NCAA Championship games. Additionally, the Wilson NCAA Game Ball is currently the ball-of-choice for more than 450 NCAA teams including men’s programs at the University of Tennessee, University of Kansas and University of Louisville; and women’s programs at Arizona State, Boston College and the University of Louisville.

The Wilson Official NCAA Game Ball is the first non-leather game ball in NCAA championship history.