Do You Get a Super Bowl Ring if You Lose?

The short answer is yes, the losing Super Bowl team does receive commemorative rings. But they are not the same as the coveted rings awarded to the champions. Let‘s explore the fascinating details around Super Bowl rings, from costs to who gets them.

Only One Team Can Win, But Both Get Rings

With over 100 million people tuning into the Super Bowl every year, the game represents the pinnacle of achievement in the NFL. The winners earn the coveted right to call themselves champions.

But even the losing team gets to take home some special hardware – rings stamped with their conference champion title. They don‘t get the exact same "World Champions" rings as the winners, but impressive mementos nonetheless.

So while only one team can hoist the Lombardi Trophy, both squads involved get to cherish rings symbolizing their outstanding seasons culminating in the Super Bowl.

Rings Evolved from Simple to Spectacular

The tradition of awarding rings began after the first Super Bowl in 1967 when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the early years, the rings were simple designs with the score engraved and small diamond accents. But over the decades, the rings transformed into dazzling spectacle pieces as franchises compete to outdo previous years.

Recent Super Bowl rings contain 10-20 carats of diamonds, custom color designs, franchise slogans engraved, and intricate detailing. The NFL calls them an "emblem of excellence."

Here‘s a look at how the rings have evolved and grown more elaborate over time:

Year	Team	Noteworthy Ring Details
1967	Green Bay Packers	14K gold, single diamond
1977	Oakland Raiders	80 diamonds totalling 3.75 carats
1993	Dallas Cowboys	Diamond-studded star logo
2014	New England Patriots	200 diamonds, custom logo cut from corundum
2022	Los Angeles Rams	20 carats diamonds, background colors matching uniform

As you can see, the detail and extravagance ratcheted up over time into the gem-encrusted works of art we see today.

Who Gets the Coveted Bling?

The rings are exclusive – only given to those affiliated with the Super Bowl franchises. Here‘s a breakdown of who gets one:

• All players on the active roster and injured reserve
• The entire coaching staff and team executives
• Staff like athletic trainers, equipment managers, and more
• Practice squad players
• Team ownership

In 2016, the NFL also began awarding rings to former players who never got one during their careers. This allows legends who made the franchises great to finally earn this recognition.

Overall, around 200 rings per franchise are produced depending on roster size that year.

NFL Contributes but Rings Cost Big Bucks

According to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league contributes $5,000-$7,000 per ring for up to 150 rings.

But the total costs are much higher. Today‘s Super Bowl rings range from $30,000 per ring on the low end to upwards of $50,000 apiece for more luxe designs. The franchises pick up the remainder of the costs beyond what the NFL contributes.

Here is a breakdown of the average costs to produce Super Bowl rings:

NFL Contribution	$5,000 – $7,000 per ring
Metal (14 or 18K gold, platinum)	$7,000
Custom design	$8,000
Diamonds/precious stones	$10,000 – $15,000
Engraving	$3,000
Ring boxes	$500
**Total Cost Per Ring**	**$30,000 – $50,000**

As you can see, the NFL only foots about 15% of the total cost while the franchise pays the remaining 85%.

What Makes the Rings So Valuable

The sky-high price tags stem from the extremely high-end materials and craftsmanship:

• 10-20 carats of diamonds, plus rubies, sapphires, etc.
• 14 or 18 karat white or yellow gold, platinum, or a combination
• Meticulous engraving detail like names, numbers, slogans
• Custom design elements specific to team or Super Bowl

No two rings end up exactly the same. The franchises work closely with premier jewelers like Jostens or Tiffany & Co. to deliver these one-of-a-kind mementos made to commemorate their big achievement.

Ring Sales Fetch Big Bucks on Auction Market

Because of their exclusivity and elite craftsmanship, Super Bowl rings can sell for staggering prices. Here are some notable sales:

• Lawrence Taylor‘s 1990 Giants Ring: $230,401
• William "Refrigerator" Perry‘s 1985 Bears Ring: $203,150
• Tom Brady‘s 1st Ring from 2001 Patriots: $192,000

These are extremely rare cases, but demonstrate the monetary and historical value placed on these iconic sports memorabilia items, especially rings from star players or significant Super Bowl wins.

Your average player ring sells for $20,000-$50,000 on auction sites if the player decides to part with it. But few do.

Losing Teams Get Consolation Conference Champion Rings

It‘s not just the big winners who take home some new bling. The Super Bowl runner-up also receives a special set of commemorative rings.

These rings say "Conference Champions" instead of "World Champions." But they are similar in materials like gold and diamonds, just with fewer gemstones and simpler designs.

The NFL contributes the same amount for up to 150 of these conference champion rings. The total costs run from $10,000-$15,000 apiece – much less than the Super Bowl rings but still a significant jewel.

Players Earn Big Bonuses Just for Competing

Making it to the Super Bowl means big money bonuses for players as well. According to the NFL Players Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, each player on the winning team earns an extra $157,000 just for being in the big game.

For players on the losing team, the bonus is $82,000 per man. So even without the winner‘s rings, the runner-ups take home a decent chunk of change in defeat.

Over a 53-man roster, that adds up to around $8.3 million in bonus money awarded to the Super Bowl winners and $4.3 million for the losers.

Charity and Hard Times Lead Some to Sell Rings

Players rarely sell their cherished rings. But over the decades, some have auctioned them off for personal reasons:

• Financial troubles – Rings provide cash infusion in hard times
• Charity foundations – Fundraising for causes close to players‘ hearts
• Medical bills – Like William Perry selling his to cover expenses

For most, championship rings represent career-defining achievements and memories with teammates. But when real world problems arise, a player may choose to part with the metal and stones in exchange for money.

Each ring tells a story behind it – of glory on the field and the real lives of players off it.

Unsold Merchandise Gets Donated

With preparation leading up to the Super Bowl, the NFL ends up producing championship merchandise for both teams proclaiming them winners.

But what happens to the losing team‘s unused hats, shirts, balls and other goods?

For the past eight years, the NFL has partnered with Good360, a nonprofit that distributes excess consumer goods around the world. They donate the garments to those in need.

So while the teams may fall short, their merchandise still makes an important impact.

Final Thoughts on the Storied Super Bowl Ring Tradition

The Super Bowl rings award an iconic honor reserved only for those reaching football‘s summit. They capture the essence of an outstanding season culminating in the greatest spectacle in the sport.

For over 50 years, these glistening rings have remained symbols of achievement — the winners holdings the ultimate jewelry piece displaying team glory. But even the runners-up take home an impressive reminder of their conference championship.

From humble beginnings, the rings evolved into elaborate gems embodying the epic grandeur around the Super Bowl itself. Their designs reflect iconic moments in NFL history that will live on for decades to come.