The ultimate status symbol in professional sports is the national championship ring. Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy gives us the download on everything you need to know about the diamond-encrusted sports national championship rings in the NBA, NFL, and the MLB that you need to see to believe.
Everything you need to know about professional sports championship rings
Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us. A day on which one team will earn the ultimate status symbol: a dazzling championship ring, loaded with diamonds and bragging rights.
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Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend. But let’s not forget the guys. What do the best athletes and management in the NBA, NFL, and MLB (and those in their orbit) have in common with Marilyn Monroe? A love of bling!
What to know about sports national championship rings: the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl ring. Courtesy Photo.
We’re talking over-the-top, gargantuan championship rings that can feature over 10 carats of diamonds. This genre of rings actually serves to expand the imagination of what traditional jewelry is. And perhaps they’re even a glamorous experiment in determining how much gold and precious jewels can sit atop a human finger before the metacarpal gives way.
Which made us curious about the history and significance of all this bling. And the cost. And who pays for these things?
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like snowflakes, each championship ring is different
It turns out that each national championship ring in professional sports is bespoke. Custom-made to tell a story filled with team lore and even inside jokes. And while lots of serious men claim to abhor jewelry and flash, of this you can be sure: this is the ultimate status for a dude. And if you ever meet a man who has earned one of these, you’ll almost certainly know it. Because he’ll be sure to show it to you and tell you all about it.
Recently we were at a high profile business gathering where a gentleman was wearing a truly massive bauble on his finger. Upon further investigation, we learned that he was a part owner of a professional sports franchise, and his team had won a championship in 2018. He asked if we wanted to hold it, and we said “Um. YEAH!” It was like getting to hold one of the Crown Jewels – heavy, and terrifyingly diamond-covered. We in the assembled group passed the ring around in a hushed awe. And then the Lord of the Ring slipped it back on his finger. MVP of the night, full stop.
the origin of the sports team national championship ring
The first championship rings were issued in Major League Baseball in 1922 for the New York Giants World Series win. This first set of rings resembled the familiar suburban high school class rings that we all probably still have stashed away somewhere. The rings had a center stone and engraved details of the year, title and team name.
Nowadays, as you might guess, the rings are bigger, brighter and blinding. Eye sore or eye candy? Dear reader, it all depends on your point of view.
how long does it take to create a championship ring?
Championship rings, as it turns out, are well worth the weight and the wait. They can take months to design as each ring is loaded with symbolism that tells the story of the team’s journey to victory.
Former Baltimore Raven and ESPN Analyst Ray Lewis’ Super Bowl Championship ring. Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images.
Jason Arasheben, of Jason’s of Beverly Hills, is the jeweler behind several national championship rings in the NBA. He created the past three Warrior’s championship rings with input from the players and key staff members. In an interview, he noted “I really enjoy the storytelling that comes from the design of these kind of rings. Championship rings take a lot more creative thought, because you have to take into account the entire team. The ring needs to tell the story of the season and each player involved.”
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who gets to receive and wear a championship ring?
Surprisingly, owning a championship ring is not only the purview of larger-than-life professional athletes, team owners and coaches. Within the last few years, most teams like the Warriors and Patriots spread the wealth.
Different tiers of rings are given to team administration, sales office representatives and other full time employees. The Cavaliers even offered them to the janitors and food vendors who work at their home arena. Some players also purchase them for family and friends. All which is to say, maybe you’ll spy one in the wild sooner than you think.
Until then, we can’t think of a better way to “tell a story” and encapsulate memories than with rubies, sapphires and diamonds.
The Most dazzling National Championship Rings in Professional Sports
After that initial taste, we wanted more. So we rounded up the past five years of national championship rings from the NBA, NFL and MLB – because you really need to see these to believe them.
the national championship rings of the NBA
Golden State Warriors 2015
Designed by Jason’s of Beverly Hills. The gold element of the ring is 67 percent to represent the team’s 67 wins in the 2014-15 season. 240 diamonds surround the center of the ring to match the number of wins the current ownership group has won since taking over.
What to know about sports national championship rings: the Golden State Warriors 2015. Courtesy Photo.
The top of the ring also has 16 princess diamonds for the number of post-season wins it took to earn the title. Another creative touch? Four stones in the ring can only be seen under a black light, symbolizing the number of NBA Championships the Warriors have won in their history. The inside band is engraved with “JUST US”, a nod to the squad’s mantra.
Cleveland Cavaliers 2016
Designed by Kay Jewelers and Baron Championship Rings. The top of the ring totals 216 diamonds, a nod to the team’s area code. The “basketball” is made from a one-karat diamond. On the left side of each ring is the Cleveland skyline.
All you need to know about NBA National championship rings in 2017: Golden State Warriors. Courtesy Photo.
The Roman numeral 52 under the Detroit-Superior Bridge represents the number of years the team failed to win the NBA Championship. Now that’s under the bridge, like water. Get it?
No part of the real estate on each ring is wasted. On the bottom band, there are seven gems, one for each game of the series. White diamonds represent Cleveland’s losses and wine-colored garnets represent their wins.
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Golden State Warriors 2017
Designed by Jason’s of Beverly Hills. 83 pave stones on top of the ring represent the number of games the Warriors won throughout the regular season and playoffs. The 36 blue sapphires symbolize their 36 regular-season home wins. And 31 laser cut white trapezoid diamonds for their road wins.
All you need to know about NBA National championship rings in 2017: Golden State Warriors. Courtesy Photo.
For Warriors players who just won their second NBA title, individual rings will create a temporary indentation on the finger that reads “two-time.” For others, such as Kevin Durant and David West, the individual ring will create a temporary indentation on their finger that reads “one trophy.”
Golden State Warriors 2018
Designed by Jason’s of Beverly Hills. This championship ring embodies team spirit. What to do when half of the team wants a white face and the other wants a blue face? Jason’s innovative design features a twist-off, reversible face of 74 blue sapphires or 74 white diamonds, representing the number of total wins.
All you need to know about NBA National championship rings in 2018: Golden State Warriors. Courtesy Photo.
There are two trophies on top of the ring, signifying the team’s back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 trophy is 17-karat gold and has a .17-karat white diamond. The 2018 trophy is 18-karat gold (natch) and has a .18-karat white diamond. Twisting off the top of the ring reveals the engraved slogan “Strength in Numbers.”
The 2019 NBA Championship winners Toronto Raptors. Courtesy Photo.
Toronto Raptors 2019
Designed by Baron Championship Rings. Canada’s first-ever NBA championship was commemorated accordingly with the largest NBA championship ring ever produced. It features 14 carats worth of diamonds and a 1.25-carat diamond, the largest single diamond ever used in a professional sports ring.
All you need to know about NBA National championship rings in 2019: Toronto Raptors. Courtesy Photo.
The ring’s face depicts the Toronto skyline, Scotiabank Arena and the team logo. Around the perimeter of the ring, there are 16 rubies and 16 jersey numbers, each representing a player on the roster. On the side, there’s a maple leaf with a ruby.
the national championship rings in the NFL
New England Patriots 2015
Designed by Jostens. The rings are made of white gold featuring 205 diamonds. Four mini Lombardi Trophies and the team logo sit atop the ring, commemorating the Patriots’ four other Super Bowl wins in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2014.
NFL national championship rings in 2015: New England Patriots. Courtesy Photo.
On the sides of the ring are the team’s trademarked phrase “DO YOUR JOB” and “WE ARE ALL PATRIOTS.”
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Denver Broncos 2016
Designed by Jostens. The Super Bowl 50 Championship Ring boasts 212 round, tapered and marquise shaped diamonds all meticulously set in a 10 karat white-and-yellow gold ring. This collection of stones comes together to create a stunning ring that tops more than 5.05 carats.
NFL national championship rings in 2016: Denver Broncos. Courtesy Photo.
The Bronco mane is created from diamond-cut orange sapphires. The sides feature 56 stones representing the Broncos’ 56-year history and the top and bottom edges each feature 15 stones to mark the team’s 15 wins during the 2015 season and the 15 titles. One side of the ring is engraved with the words “THIS ONE’S FOR PAT” in honor of Owner Pat Bowlen.
New England Patriots 2017
Designed by Jostens. The number of diamonds in each ring is 283, making reference to when the Patriots were down 28-3 before making an historic comeback. The face, now up to five Lombardi trophies, features marquise-cut diamonds and is pavé-set with brilliant round diamonds.
NFL national championship rings in 2017: New England Patriots. Courtesy Photo.
A few quotes from Patriot’s owner, Robert Kraft are engraved on this ring- “UNEQUIVOCALLY THE SWEETEST” on the right side of the ring, and “WE ARE ALL PATRIOTS,” and “GREATEST COMEBACK EVER,” on the inside band of the ring.
Philadelphia Eagles 2018
Designed by Jostens. For the team’s first ever Super Bowl win, Jeffrey Lurie, Eagles chairman and CEO revealed that he was surprised by how much work went into designing the ring. This 10k white gold ring is adorned with 219 diamonds and 17 rare green sapphires. The front of the ring displays the Eagles head logo with 52 pavé-set diamonds, signifying Super Bowl 52.
NFL national championship rings in 2018: Philadelphia Eagles. Courtesy Photo.
The Trophy contains 16 diamonds, one for each of the team’s 16 victories during the season. There are 127 diamonds on the bezel to represent the combined jersey numbers of the three players – Corey Clement (30), Trey Burton (88) and Nick Foles (9) who touched the football during the Philly Special. An underdog mask is inscribed on the inside of the ring.
New England Patriots 2019
Designed by Jostens. Hailed as the the largest Super Bowl ring in history, this behemoth is crafted from 10-carat gold and features 422 diamonds and 20 blue sapphires for a total of 9.85-carats. The sapphires represent the team’s 20 AFC East division championships.
NFL national championship rings in 2019: New England Patriots. Courtesy Photo.
Inscriptions include “STILL HERE”, the game’s final score (13-3) and on the inside of the ring, as tradition dictates, “WE ARE ALL PATRIOTS.”
the national championship rings in the MLB
Kansas City Royals 2015
Designed by Jostens. Custom-cut blue sapphires were used to create the KC logo. And combined with the cluster of diamonds throughout the ring, there are 10 carats worth of gemstones on this bauble. On the right side of the ring, the year 2015 is set in white diamonds above a baseball diamond that surrounds a silhouette of the World Series trophy.
MLB national championship rings in 2015: Kansas City Royals. Courtesy Photo.
A blue princess-cut sapphire is at first and third base, and they represent the team’s appearances in the 2014 and 2015 World Series. Representing the series-clinching victory in Game 5 of last year’s World Series, five round white diamonds symbolize the five runs the Royals scored in the 12th inning.
MLB national championship rings in 2015: Kansas City Royals. Courtesy Photo.
Chicago Cubs 2016
Designed by Jostens. After waiting a century to win the World Series again, you know this championship ring has to be epic. 108 round diamonds on the top bezel matches the number of years between World Series Championships. The Cubs logo is composed of 33 red rubies, which are surrounded by and 72 round diamonds and 46 blue sapphires.
MLB national championship rings in 2016: Chicago Cubs. Courtesy Photo.
The team’s “Fly the W” flag is filled in with another 31 diamonds. The Wrigley Field ivy and brick wall are also imprinted on the side. The bottom inscription reads “WE NEVER QUIT” and there’s even a silhouette of the cursed Wrigley Goat.
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Houston Astros 2017
Editorial note: the MLB investigation into sign-stealing during the 2017 season has cast a shadow on this World Series win. Nevertheless, we’re sharing details on the championship ring. It was designed by Jostens. Creating the iconic “H” in the Astros logo are 11 custom-cut baguettes which represent the team’s 11 postseason wins. The top of the ring is adorned with 101 diamonds. This symbolizes the number of regular season victories won by the Astros in 2017.
MLB national championship rings in 2017: Houston Astros. Courtesy Photo.
The player’s name and the Astros logo frame the iconic Houston skyline on one side. Additional hometown love – the phrase “HOUSTON STRONG” – is inset on the other. On the arbor of the ring is the rallying cry “EARNED HISTORY.” It is placed so that, when shaking another hand, the recipient can see that the Astros earned their World Series title and place in history.
Boston Red Sox 2018
Designed by Jostens. This ring boasts boasts 4.5 carats of diamonds, 6.5 carats of blue sapphires and 4.0 carats of rubies for a total gem weight of 15 carats. The Boston B logo is formed from 21 custom cut rubies and 14 channel-set diamonds and is symbolic of the total number of American League pennants won by the Red Sox since the franchise was established in 1901.
MLB national championship rings in 2018: Boston Red Sox. Courtesy Photo.
Enhancing the brilliance of the ring is the cascade of 128 diamonds in two rows on the side. This spectacle honors the 119 franchise-record wins in 2018 and the 9 World Series titles now held by the Red Sox. Memorialized on the interior of the ring is 10-28-18. This is the date of the World Series victory and the date the team’s rally cry of “DO DAMAGE” was changed to “DAMAGE DONE.”
MLB national championship rings in 2018: Boston Red Sox. Courtesy Photo.
Washington Nationals 2019
The Washington Nationals won the World Series for the first time in franchise history in November 2019. Check back for an update on what should be a truly monumental ring.
The Most dazzling National Championship Rings in Professional Sports
There you have it. Are you ready to kiss the ring? I, for one, have been inspired to design a ring for my next wedding anniversary milestone. 200 brilliant diamonds to symbolize the number of times I’ve had to pick up my husband’s socks from the living room floor! Are you with me?
In all seriousness, though, we learned something important while researching these enormous rings. Along with all the swagger (and there’s a lot of it), there is a deep sweetness. When you look at the photos of the players receiving their rings, you see joy, pride, incredulity, and delight. You see real tenderness and fellow feeling toward their teammates. It made us realize that like an engagement ring, a sports national championship ring is a symbol of many things. And one of them just might be love.
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.
