The Shocking Truth About Who Really Keeps the Super Bowl Trophy Forever Revealed!

Each year, as the Super Bowl spectacle reaches its fever pitch, a gleaming symbol of ultimate triumph awaits the victorious squad. The shimmering sterling silver trophy, meticulously crafted every season by the artisans at Tiffany in New Jersey, stands 56 centimeters tall and weighs just over three kilograms. It’s not just any trophy—it’s an enduring emblem of football glory, shaped since 1967 to mirror a regulation-size football poised for a kick, a design dreamed up on a cocktail napkin by Tiffany’s vice-president Oscar Riedner during a casual lunch with the NFL commissioner. But here’s the kicker: while the winning team’s players receive rings to celebrate their conquest, the shiny trophy finds its home with the team’s owners, a tradition that sets the NFL apart from many other sports. Intrigued by the fascinating history and customs surrounding this iconic prize? LEARN MORE

The winner of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will keep the trophy.

A new identical prize is cast each year for the winning team.

The sterling silver trophy, which stands at 56cm tall and weighs 3.18kg, is handcrafted each year by Tiffany in New Jersey.

The prize, which has had the same design since the first Super Bowl in 1967, depicts a regulation-size American football in a kicking position on a stand.

The design was originally drawn by Tiffany vice-president Oscar Riedner on a cocktail napkin during lunch with NFL commissioner Pete Rozell.

Players from the winning team are awarded rings rather than medals.

What is the Super Bowl trophy called?

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the winners of the Super Bowl [Getty Images]

The trophy is named in honour of legendary NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowl games.

At the age of 57 Lombardi was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer, and he died 10 weeks later in September 1970.

In recognition of his achievements, Lombardi was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl prize was renamed in his honour.

Why is the trophy presented to the owners?

Robert Kraft holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy six times [Getty Images]

Unlike sports such as cricket or rugby, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is presented to the owner of the winning team in a ceremony at the end of the Super Bowl.

It is a tradition in most American sports to reward the owner for the team’s success.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) follows the tradition, while Major League Baseball (MLB) hands The Commissioner’s Trophy to the owner, general manager and the manager of the championship team.

The National Hockey League (NHL) bucks the trend with the giant Stanley Cup handed to the winning captain on the ice.

The MLS Cup, awarded to winner of the annual championship game of Major League Soccer, is also given to the triumphant captain.

The Super Bowl previously held the trophy ceremony in a locker room until 1996, but it has been held since on a custom-built stage in the middle of the field.

NFL legends now carry the trophy to the commissioner, who presents the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the owners while the ‘Lombardi Trophy Processional’ song plays out over the speakers.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.