As we mentioned, Nike footballs are a clear testament to evolution, year after year. Proof of this was the previous Nike Merlin, which blew us away when we saw all the technology it contained, and which left us in awe the first time we kicked it. But that is now a thing of the past, as the Nike Flight Ball represents years of progress, closely linked to the countless hours of work that went into bringing this ball to market. Kieran Ronan, the project lead, has been working at Nike for 26 years. He has worked in offices in Ireland and the Netherlands and is now Global Equipment Director at the headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Interview with Kieran Ronan, Project Manager for Nike Flight Ball
*Fútbol Emotion: What were the three secrets behind the creation of the new Flight Ball?
*Kienan Ronan: The three secrets behind the creation of the new Nike Flight are all about its aerodynamics. The components we have combined to create a more precise flight. The first is the new Aerowsculpt technology, the second is its 4-panel construction, and the third is ACC (All Conditions Control) technology with 3D ink to add extra grip that follows the grooves of the Aerowsculpt technology to improve the ball’s aerodynamics.
*F.E: How do you think football will change from now on?
*K.R: The new Nike Flight offers 30% greater flight accuracy than its predecessor, the Nike Merlin. The essence of the game is to promote equality; whether you’re a goalkeeper or an outfield player, you need a consistent touch and more precise flight to gain greater control over the ball and your passes, and to play a fast-paced game.
*F.E: How many prototypes did you build before you got the final ball?
*K.R: There were actually 68 prototypes. It has been an eight-year research project involving the whole team, led by the innovation lab. We made further adjustments and changes and tested them in the lab before presenting them to the players. That’s what we’ve been doing throughout this journey, which has taken all this time. We believe these improvements deliver measurable results: a 30% increase in flight stability compared to the previous Nike Merlin.
*F.E: How did professional players react when they tried it?
*K.R: It’s been quite a journey. Many players have been with us over the last eight years. It’s not something we just spring on the players when it’s finished to see their reactions. In the final stages, we work with focus groups and they’re always amazed. They’re enthusiastic and are usually very surprised. Then we go back to the players for the final details and apply graphics for the leagues we work with. They’re very enthusiastic at that point, but they’re on the journey with us. This is a collaboration; it’s a relationship that combines science and innovation with a love and passion for football.
If you’d like to find out a bit more about this new release—the new Nike Flight ball—we’ve got a post where we tell you all about it, plus a video sharing our impressions of testing the American brand’s latest release on a football pitch. If there are times when football kit enthusiasts have reason to celebrate, it’s when we’re on the cusp of a new season. This year, Nike aims to be the winner in the battle between brands, by being the best both on and off the pitch. To that end, it has already unveiled the new Neighborhood Pack of football boots, as well as the second instalment of the Future Lab Pack collection. As you can see, the year the American brand has in store for us is, to say the least, interesting, and everything suggests that, from now on, Nike will continue to delight all football kit enthusiasts, as always.
Here at Fútbol Emotion, we would like to thank both Nike Football and Kieran Ronan for their willingness to engage with us, their detailed explanations of the new Nike Flight Ball, and the constant changes taking place in the world of football.
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