Do you get a Super Bowl ring if you lose? No, but you still get some bling.
Losing the Super Bowl stings. But the NFL makes sure both teams go home with championship rings – just not the same kind. Here‘s an in-depth look at the coveted Super Bowl rings along with the lesser-known conference rings the runners-up receive.
The Coveted Super Bowl Ring
The Super Bowl winner‘s rings are the ultimate NFL status symbols. Here‘s a breakdown of everything you need to know about these diamond-studded prizes:
Cost: Between $30,000 – $50,000 per ring
Paid By: The NFL contributes $5,000 – $7,000 per ring. Teams pay the remaining balance.
Who Gets Them: Up to 150 rings go to players, coaches, executives, practice squad, staff.
Features: Massive rings made of gold and silver. Studded with diamonds and engraved with the Super Bowl logo and team name/logo. Fully customized.
Most Expensive Ring Sold: Lawrence Taylor‘s 1990 Super Bowl ring sold for $230,401 at auction in 2012.
Recent Examples:
| Year | Team | Notable Ring Details | Approx. Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rams | Oval shape, 1.12 carats diamonds | $50,000 |
| 2021 | Bucs | 319 diamonds, first ever Super Bowl LV logo | $40,000 |
| 2020 | Chiefs | 255 diamonds, 20 genuine rubies | $35,000 |
As you can see, these rings spare no expense to celebrate the biggest victory in football. Next let‘s look at what the Super Bowl runner-up receives…
Losing Team Also Gets Champs Ring
You might be surprised to learn that the Super Bowl‘s losing team gets new rings too. These rings recognize their achievement of becoming conference champions.
For NFC champs: NFC Championship rings
For AFC champs: AFC Championship rings
These rings are extremely similar to the Super Bowl rings, just with different wording. Here are the details:
Cost: Around $15,000 – $25,000 per ring
Who Gets Them: Same distribution of ~150 rings to players, coaches, execs, staff.
Features: Same precious metals and customization as Super Bowl rings. Replaces "Super Bowl" with conference name.
Recent Examples:
| Year | Team | Details | Approx. Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Bengals | "AFC Champions" in orange gems | $15,000 |
| 2021 | Bucs | Bold "NFC Champions" in red gems | $25,000 |
My Take: Awarding conference rings is a smart move by the NFL. It provides meaningful recognition of the losing team‘s outstanding season and playoff success. This boosts morale after the painful Super Bowl loss.
Comparing the Rings: Super Bowl vs. Conference
The main difference between the rings, beyond the name, is value. Let‘s compare:
Super Bowl Ring
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Price: $30,000-$50,000
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Resale Value: $200,000+ at auction
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Metal/Stones: Gold, platinum, diamonds
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Prestige: Extremely high
Conference Ring
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Price: $15,000-$25,000
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Resale Value: $10,000-$25,000 at auction
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Metal/Stones: Silver, smaller diamonds
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Prestige: High but far below Super Bowl ring
There‘s no denying the substantial monetary and status gap between these rings. But conference rings are still an amazing feat of jewelry craftsmanship in their own right.
Bonuses For Super Bowl Players
Losing the big game hurts. But Super Bowl players get handsomely paid just for playing in it:
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Winning players: $157,000 bonus
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Losing players: $82,000 bonus
Over $75,000 rides on the outcome. Yet even the losers take home a fat bonus – plus a shiny new conference ring.
Rings Become Heirlooms or Auction Fodder
It‘s uncommon but not unheard of for players to sell their Super Bowl rings if money is tight. But most keep them as prized possessions.
As Detroit linebacker Gary Brackett told Sports Illustrated on receiving his Super Bowl ring from the 2006 Colts team:
"I gave it to my dad. He cried. He absolutely cried when I gave it to him. Because he knew the journey."
Many players pass down their rings for generations as family heirlooms. But market demand is high, so rare rings fetching huge sums at auction isn‘t surprising.
My Take: Selling such an iconic career accomplishment feels unfortunate to me. But family or financial needs outweigh sentimental value for some retired players.
Losing Stings, But Silver Linings Remain
In summary, as painful as losing the Super Bowl may be, the runners-up still gain:
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Major conference championship rings
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Hefty six-figure bonuses
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A lifetime memory of playing in the Super Bowl
So while the winners get the true crown jewels, the Super Bowl ring, losing teams find some consolation in taking home sweet conference bling and fatter wallets.