Flashscore Interview – Kevin Murphy (Wilson): “We want to be the one to make the next best ball, even if we already have it”
Julie Marchetti, in Paris
Last Wednesday, a new ball prototype called “airless ball” was presented by Wilson – the NBA’s equipment supplier – at the NBA House in Paris on the sidelines of the NBA Paris Game. On site to discover this model, Flashscore France spoke with Kevin Murphy, Vice President and General Manager of Team Sports at Wilson Sporting Goods.
Wilson Sporting Goods is one of the best US Sports equipment suppliers. The company has also supplied basketballs to the NBA since 2021. Last Wednesday, the brand set up shop in Paris to unveil a brand new concept of an “airless” ball – literally “without air”, made from a 3D printer and which will shape the future of the discipline. The company’s Vice President and General Manager, Kevin Murphy, agreed to reveal a little more about his new model, and talk about his brand’s past in the world of basketball.
Tell us how you came to be the official supplier of the NBA.
“We are embarking on our third season as the official supplier of the NBA ball. We are very happy with it. It has been super interesting to be part of all these major events, to work with the NBA… Our partnership is really specific. When we reached an agreement to work together once again (Wilson was already the official supplier of the Championship from 1946 to 1983, editor’s note), it was very exciting since our values, our vision of the game, were very aligned well. It was a very simple process.”
You are here to unveil a new balloon prototype. Can you tell us more?
“We’ve tried to solve the problems our customers are having. The fact is, with basketballs, or inflatable products in general, the biggest concern we have is always filling it with air and making hold that air in. So our teams are always trying to think about what we could do to improve the durability of the ball… Doing it in conditions that respect the planet… We started thinking about how to do things otherwise. It was a fun project to tackle. It was a little difficult, we still have a lot to work on, but you have to think of this new “airless ball” as a concept car. These concepts have attractions which will blow your mind. And then, the following year, new options are presented and will bring you improvements. Our balloon will help us to have other ideas in the near future. It will be a product marking a breakthrough and will please our customers.”
So is it in progress?
“Exactly. We’re still in the prototype phase. But what’s exciting is that we can put a ball with a real size and make sure that it respects the regulations that go with it. After that, we want to add characteristics that will make it the one that will suit the best basketball players on the planet.”
This ball is truly different from any classic model. It contains holes, and is 3D printed. Was it a desire to look for an alternative to the wear and tear of traditional balls?
“The materials we build it with can be different, more durable. What you want as a basketball player is to feel the ball under your fingers. So this ball fulfills that desire. What we can also do is to make it a little more flexible and controllable. You will see how we manage to convert this feeling. This feeling which makes us think that we play better with it. You will be able to dribble with a ball without air, with holes in it, it turns the brain, no (laughs). Once you try it, it seems different.”
What reactions have you already had?
“They were amazing! Last year we introduced it at the All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. It was the first time anyone played with it. The reaction on the field was awesome! All the players wanted to see it, play with it, touch it… People were really interested in the product. It got lots of views on the internet. Everyone wants to know what it is. We ask when is it -that we can have one. But, since it’s still in the prototype stage, there are still new things coming. You know, customers are very “chic” these days. They know it’s very hard to make something like this. It’s not just printing a ball with a 3D printer. It’s an engineering feat.”
The Wilson booth at the NBA House.
Julie Marchetti
How did you get the idea to create it? It’s not something we naturally think about!
“We have always been a product company. We have been the supplier of the ball to the NFL since 1941. We have been to the NBA, we are again… We have a heritage in tennis with the number racquet 1… We also have a foot in baseball… One of the reasons we are is because we care that someone can make a better product than us. We want to do it first that another person doesn’t do it. We have a very good team to think about this kind of thing. I have one who works on what we are developing now, another on the future. We discuss what we could do. We invest in this technology of the future, it’s very important. We want to be the one who makes the next best ball, even if we already have it.”
Do you know when it will be available?
“We are going to organize new activities during the All-Star Game. You will have new announcements during this period. It will be progressive. We are already seeing what changes we can make. We want customers to also be able to see the evolution for realize the latter.”
So you don’t know when it will be used by players either?
“No, in the near future, it will not be used for the NBA. We will have to do a lot of testing for that to be the case. But, it could probably be used for occasional or recreational use.”
Why present the prototype now and in Paris in this case?
“It’s important that we show what we can do now. It’s really special to do it here. I mean, it’s in Paris! France is making basketball an international sport. There’s an incredible fanbase . And those fans can enjoy the experience. You know, people sometimes say “basketballs are basketballs.” But if you take the time to look at the prototype, you see that it’s not not the case. No one can do that. Not even our competitors. We want to show why we are the official supplier of the NBA.”
2024-01-18 02:02:03
#Flashscore #Interview #Kevin #Murphy #Wilson #ball
