Super Bowl XLV Footballs Get Hologram Treatment

Content Originally Published by Sports Collectors Daily on Wednesday February 2, 2011.

Over 100 footballs will be used in Super Bowl XLV and to protect against possible counterfeiting every one of them will be “tagged” with a specially-prepared synthetic DNA ink that leaves an invisible-to-the-naked-eye security mark.  The sideline pylons and even the coin used for the game-opening coin toss will be marked, too.

The National Football League again will use  PSA/DNA Authentication Services to certify all footballs used in the Super Bowl.  A PSA/DNA representative will mark each ball with a synthetic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strand that can be seen only when illuminated by a specific laser frequency.

“The DNA ink has an astronomical 1-in-33 trillion chance of being accurately reproduced by counterfeiters,” said Joe Orlando, President of PSA/DNA, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc.

“Many of the game-used Super Bowl footballs are sold by the NFL through charity auctions.  The PSA/DNA certification combats potential counterfeiting and helps assure future owners that each ball is genuine.”

About 120 footballs are expected to be used in the upcoming game in Arlington, Texas between Green Bay and Pittsburgh on Sunday.

A PSA/DNA representative will be in Arlington to photograph and then carefully “tag” each ball with the special ink.  The mark is invisible to the naked eye but fluoresces green when illuminated by the proper laser frequency.  A letter of authenticity accompanies each Super Bowl football certified by PSA/DNA, and the certificates have tamper-evident labels with individual, serialized numbers that can be verified online at www.PSADNA.com.

“The value of any game-used Super Bowl collectible can vary significantly depending on the importance of the specific item.  For example, was the particular football caught for a touchdown or used for a game-winning field goal?,” explained Orlando who also is Editor of the monthly Sports Market Report price guide magazine.

This is the 13th year PSADNA has certified the Super Bowl game balls.

A ball from last year’s Super Bowl is currently listed in this charity auction on eBay with a $6999 starting bid.