The Super Bowl is the largest sports event in the US and has a lot of hype in the media. Millions of households watch it on TV, and thousands of fans are in the stadium. The height of the ceremony includes awarding the prestigious Super Bowl rings. But what exactly are Super Bowl rings, and how have they cemented their place as unique icons in sports? This article gives a breakdown as well as their cultural significance.
Super Bowl Rings
Since 1967, the best sportsmen who have contributed to the team’s success have joined an exclusive Super Bowl Ring owners club. 150 rings are produced yearly and awarded to the team that wins the Super Bowl title. Fifty-three rings go to the players, while the rest go to the coaches, executives, and other team members. Traditionally, the rings include the franchise name, team crest(logo), the Super Bowl number, and the phrase “World Champions.” The ring’s design and look are exclusive, featuring rare gems and stones.
Players can have the ring customized to include their names and jersey numbers. The NFL pays $5,000 to $7,000 to help customize each ring. Any additional costs in creating the rings are often passed down to the team owners. That is because a team has the final say on the look of the rings to display the team’s history and identity.
Since the first rings were awarded, they have become more elaborate and lavish. This reflects prestige and the hype associated with the Super Bowl.
Teams with the Most Super Bowl Rings
As of 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots have the most wins in Super Bowls, each having six wins. So, these teams have the most Super Bowl rings. They are followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, who have won the Super Bowl five times. While the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants have won the title four times.
These teams are also among the favorite teams in Super Bowl betting. If you are unsure which team to bet on Super Bowl 2024, check out verified football sportsbooks, as they are already updating 2024 Super Bowl odds. They also have dozens of NFL betting markets where you can make potential profits if your predictions are accurate.
Three Most Popular Super Bowl Rings
There is a lot of banter online on the most popular rings. Here are the top three for us:
The 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl ring
It features a large diamond shaped by the Bears’ logo and a smaller diamond for each of the team’s Super Bowl wins. They are currently estimated to be worth $45,000 and remain iconic relics of the sport.
The 2007 New England Patriots Super Bowl ring
Everyone reckons that this is the most expensive Super Bowl ring ever made. It features 128 diamonds and is worth an estimated $3 million.
The 2016 Denver Broncos Super Bowl ring
It was designed to pay tribute to the team’s home state of Colorado. The ring features a mountain range made of diamonds and a large diamond shaped like a football.
Valuing the Rings
It is challenging to get an accurate estimate of the value of a Super Bowl ring as each edition has its customization, and the total cost still needs to be fully revealed. The value may change yearly, with each team trying to stay true to tradition. Most rings are estimated to be worth between $30,000 and $50,000. This figure is simplistic because the rings have sentimental value and have authentically been worn by world champions.
Legend rings command higher value than a team staffer’s ring on the market. The player’s value on the market can also bump the ring’s value. We saw firsthand how much the ring could be worth when Lawrence Taylor put up his ring for auction at $37,982, but it ended up going for over $230k. Everyone speculates that Tom Brady rings carry the highest resale value, but we can only know the value once they hit the market.
Epitome of Achievement
Irrespective of what you think the Super Bowl rings should be worth, they symbolize excellence, a relic of human achievements. They represent years of hard work and dedication by players and coaches to get awarded in the biggest spectacle in American sports. Additionally, they are engineered with superior art and precious minerals that make up for their value.