The Prestige and Price of Super Bowl Rings Revealed

From diamond-studded bling to subtle designs, the story behind the NFL's most coveted jewelry

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Winning the Super Bowl comes with more than just a trophy - players and staff also receive a prestigious championship ring that can be worth over $100,000 on the open market. While the exact manufacturing costs are kept secret by the NFL, reports suggest the rings can cost team owners millions to produce, with the league covering only a portion of the expenses. The rings have evolved over the years, with some featuring hundreds of diamonds, while others take a more understated approach. Beyond just players, team owners have the ability to award rings to anyone they choose, including cheerleaders and even janitors.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl ring has become a symbol of elite achievement in the NFL, with the unique designs and high costs reflecting the prestige of winning the championship. As the rings become flashier, they also highlight the financial resources of team owners and the league's desire to celebrate its top performers in an extravagant way.

The details

The cost of manufacturing a Super Bowl ring is kept confidential by the NFL, but reports suggest the price tag can range from $5,000 to $7,000 per ring covered by the league, with team owners picking up the remaining costs which can total millions. In 2015, the New England Patriots' rings featured 205 diamonds and cost an estimated $5.475 million. When former players sell their rings at auction, the price can exceed $100,000, with Tom Brady's rings potentially worth over $250,000. While the losing team doesn't receive a Super Bowl ring, they are awarded a less prestigious conference championship ring.

  • The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement set new rules ensuring practice squad players also receive Super Bowl rings, though they may be of lesser value.
  • In 2015, the New England Patriots' Super Bowl rings featured 205 diamonds and cost an estimated $5.475 million.

The players

Vince Lombardi

Designed the very first Super Bowl ring.

Robert Kraft

New England Patriots owner who once sold his Super Bowl LI ring for over $1 million for charity.

Rick Harrison

Star of the reality TV series Pawn Stars and co-owner of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, who has commented on the high value of Tom Brady's Super Bowl rings.

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The takeaway

The Super Bowl ring has evolved into a symbol of unparalleled achievement and prestige in the NFL, with team owners sparing no expense to create increasingly elaborate and valuable jewelry for their championship-winning players and staff. These rings not only commemorate on-field success, but also reflect the immense financial resources of the league and its franchises.