Lega Serie A has unveiled the match ball for its competitions next season – the ‘revolutionary’ Nike Flight.
The ball replaces the Merlin and has taken ‘over 800 professional athletes, eight years and 1,700 hours of testing’ to produce.
“It’s the heart of the game,” a description of the ball on Nike’s official website reads.
“It’s all you need to play. And with the all-new Nike Flight Ball it’s a revolutionary return to the basics—the beauty of a ball in flight.
Lega Serie A has unveiled the match ball for its competitions next season – the ‘revolutionary’ Nike Flight.
The ball replaces the Merlin and has taken ‘over 800 professional athletes, eight years and 1,700 hours of testing’ to produce.
“It’s the heart of the game,” a description of the ball on Nike’s official website reads.
“It’s all you need to play. And with the all-new Nike Flight Ball it’s a revolutionary return to the basics—the beauty of a ball in flight.
“Ask any footballer and they’ll tell you: they love the ball, always have and they love the feeling of knowing exactly what a well-hit shot or pass will do when they connect with it. The Nike Flight Ball started with that need for consistency.
“We tracked players on the pitch. We spent years in the lab. We tested prototype, after prototype, after protoype. The result? The Nike Flight Ball has 30% truer flight than its predecessor, the Nike Merlin.
“Does that mean every shot will go where you want it? No. But it does mean less wobble in the air for a more predictable and consistent flight.
“Every football has some unpredictable movement in flight due to the forces it encounters in the air.
“Nike Aerowsculpt technology helps those forces move around the ball more easily for a more stable flight. It’s small grooves that make a big difference.
“Flight is only a third of the story though. A fuse-welded 4-panel construction means the Nike Flight Ball has 40% fewer stiff seams than a traditional 12-panel ball for a prominent sweet spot and superior touch.
“Textured ACC (All Conditions Control) ink on the surface helps ensure optimal grip in wet or dry conditions for a ball that feels as true as it flies.”
The ball will also be used in the Premier League and Russian top flight next season.
To differentiate it for Italian use, it features blue and yellow inserts with the Serie A TIM logo.
Nike Flight – the new official #SerieATIM 2020-2021 matchball: it all starts with a ball! @nikefootball #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/PISi0WipVk
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) July 23, 2020