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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, expanding the Love the Moment collection. The collection includes 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 purpose.

The 2024 Love the Moment collection celebrated inclusion on and off the field, featuring several new A2000 ball gloves – including the first two Fastpitch softball gloves – in Autism Speaks’ signature colorway with the puzzle piece logo and Love the Moment messaging. In addition to the glove lineup, players can customize all Pro Stock® gloves with Love the Moment branding via the Wilson Custom Glove Builder, now offering two new Supersnakeskin™ prints. Thousands of athletes, including Pittsburgh reliever Colin Holderman, Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan, and University of Arkansas softball coach Danielle Gibson Whorton, have taken advantage of this option.

Wilson also collaborates with Autism Speaks on the Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN) program. Despite having the skills and desire to work, only 20% of people with disabilities, including those with autism, are employed. WIN is a workforce development program designed to promote diversity in hiring and create an inclusive workplace culture where autistic adults – and all employees – can thrive. A pilot program is currently underway at Wilson’s manufacturing facility in Sparta, TN.

Launched in 2025, the Love the Moment collection featured three storytelling gloves designed by Dougie Bedinger, a young ballplayer with autism who helped design the first-ever Love the Moment first base mitt, Colin Holderman, and Danielle Gibson Whorton – athletes from travel ball through the pros who are deeply committed to the autism community and Autism Speaks.

Love the Moment was recognized at the 2025 Halo Awards, the most prestigious honor for excellence in corporate social impact. The awards celebrate innovative partnerships between companies and nonprofits that deliver measurable impact for both business and society. Love the Moment received Gold for Best Disability Initiative, Silver for Best Cause Product Initiative, and was named one of the five “Best of the Best” finalists, highlighting its ongoing success in promoting inclusion and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum through sport.

“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.”

This partnership demonstrates the power of an employee-identified cause, showing how aligning initiatives with what matters to teammates and athletes can create lasting impact. Autism Speaks is deeply grateful for Wilson’s commitment to fostering inclusion, connection, and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum. Together, this collaboration continues to inspire meaningful change both on and off the field.

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Wilson Sporting Goods: Champions of inclusivity on and off the field

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