Michigan Company Personalizes Jerseys for NFL Draft
The NFL draft is an annual event that sports enthusiasts around the globe eagerly anticipate. The excitement and anticipation are palpable as each first-round pick is announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. However, this year’s draft, taking place in Detroit, holds a special significance for a local company, STAHLS’, based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, a mere 17 miles from the draft stage.
“The draft coming back to Detroit is extra special for us,” shares Brent Kisha, the company’s vice president of strategic sales. The team has a remarkable task to accomplish – personalizing the jerseys of each first-round pick in under two minutes, in the backstage Nike jersey room at the NFL Draft Theater.
STAHLS’ Heat-Pressing Duties
STAHLS’ has been performing this crucial task since 2012, starting with Andrew Luck’s Indianapolis Colts jersey in New York. The company’s team has since traveled to drafts held in various cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and now, their hometown.
“Historically, the jerseys only had a ‘No. 1,’ so putting a person’s name on it was like magic to the fans,” Kisha reveals. Their secret to achieving this in less than two minutes? A Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press. This machine, featuring a high-resolution touch screen controller, is typically used by custom apparel businesses.
STAHLS’ and the NFL Draft
STAHLS’ personalizes not one, but two jerseys for each draft pick. One is handed to the player onstage, while the other forms part of his rookie playing card pack. The company prepares nameplates for every potential in-person first-round draftee in all 32 NFL teams’ fonts and colors. They even have eight jerseys per team ready, just in case there are day-of trades.
Founded in 1932 by A.C. Stahl and his wife, Ethel, in their garage, STAHLS’ began as Commercial Art Products. Today, it is a licensee and supplier to the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. The privately-held company boasts about 1,000 employees in North America, most of whom are based in Michigan.
Four of these employees, including Kisha, will be on name-affixing duty this Thursday. While it’s an exciting task, Kisha admits that it’s not without its nerves. “But every year, in the beginning, until that first jersey goes on the stage, you’ve got butterflies.”
The work of STAHLS’ is a testament to the vital role that local businesses play in major events like the NFL draft. As we cheer for our favorite teams and players, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the behind-the-scenes magic that brings the draft to life.