50 Years Of Tradition Deserves 50 Years Of Protection
As the kick off for Super Bowl 50 approaches tonight, DNA Technologies’ proprietary marking technology is ready to make its way onto the field. While we haven’t been around for 50 years, our partner, PSA/ DNA, has been working with the NFL for a number of years, to protect the value of game used Super Bowl footballs.
Gearing Up for the Super Bowl: PSA/DNA Once Again Makes its Mark on the Game
Sports Collectors Digest, February 5th, 2016
Each of the more than 100 footballs that will be used in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7 will be “tagged” with a specially-prepared synthetic DNA ink that leaves an invisible-to-the-naked-eye security mark to protect against possible counterfeiting. The sideline pylons and even the coin used for the game-opening coin toss will also be marked.
PSA/DNA will once again certify all footballs used in Super Bowl 50. 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 special DNA ink we use has an astronomical 1-in-33 trillion chance of being accurately reproduced by counterfeiters. The mark is invisible to the naked eye but fluoresces green when illuminated by the proper laser frequency,” said Joe Orlando, president of PSA/DNA.
“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,” explained Orlando.
About 120 footballs are expected to be used in the game between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
“The value of game-used Super Bowl collectibles can vary significantly depending on the importance of the specific item. For example, a football that can be identified as having been caught for a game-winning touchdown would command more at auction than a football used to kick a first half field goal,” said Orlando.
