Wilson
Since 2019, Wilson Sporting Goods and Autism Speaks have worked to create on-field products and promote a message of inclusion, acceptance and understand for people on the autism spectrum and introduced Love the Moment™. What started in Baseball/Softball with the A2000® 1786 Love the Moment™ glove, has grown significantly to include additional A2000 patterns including outfield gloves, pitcher’s gloves and catcher’s mitts. Wilson donates 10% of the purchase price of all Love the Moment® products directly to Autism Speaks, with a minimum donation of $150,000 each year. These funds help increase advocacy and support, provide resources and advance research with the goal of helping people across the autism spectrum throughout their life span.
In 2024, Wilson announced its “Play for the Cause” initiative in collaboration with Autism Speaks. The initiative expands upon Wilson’s Love the Moment® collection – inclusive of baseball and softball gloves, as well as an Evo NXT Basketball, Youth Tennis Kit and Omega football, encouraging athletes to foster inclusion and play with a purpose. The 2024 Love the Moment® collection celebrated inclusion on and off the field or court. Several new A2000 ball gloves, including the first two Fastpitch softball gloves, feature Autism Speaks signature colorway, the recognizable puzzle piece logo, as well as Love the Moment® messaging. In addition to the Love the Moment glove lineup, Wilson offers players the option to customize all Pro Stock® gloves with Love the Moment branding on the Wilson Custom Glove Builder. Thousands of players, including professional athletes like Pittsburgh relief pitcher Colin Holderman, Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan and University of Arkansas softball coach Danielle Gibson Whorton have taken advantage of this option in recent years. Wilson is also collaborated with Autism Speaks on their Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN) program. Only 20% of people with disabilities, including those with autism, are employed, despite having the skillset and desire to work. WIN a workforce development program designed to promote diversity in hiring and create an inclusive workplace culture in which not just autistic adults, but all employees can thrive. A pilot program is underway at our manufacturing facility in Sparta, TN.
Launching in 2025, the Love the Moment™ collection will feature three storytelling gloves – designed by athletes from travel ball through the pros who are deeply committed to the autism community and Autism Speaks.
Autism Speaks and Wilson Sporting Goods' "Love the Moment" initiative has been recognized as a finalist in not one, but two prestigious categories at the 2025 Halo Awards:
- Best Cause Product Initiative
- Best Disability Initiative.
Winners to be announced on April 26th at the Engage for Good Conference.
“In order to create a world in which people with autism are fully championed, we must come together with a fearless commitment to driving true acceptance,” said Keith Wargo, President & CEO, Autism Speaks. “Wilson understands that acceptance means going beyond awareness, and we are grateful to have their support in creating products and opportunities that celebrate the autistic community at all levels of society.”
Watch now:
Wilson Sporting Goods: Champions of inclusivity on and off the field