Modern Laces. The laces on the National Football League's footballs are made by Creative Extrusion & Technologies, Inc. of Brockton, Massachusetts. The laces, which are constructed by heating plastic pellets and forming them into string, measure 46 to 50 inches in length. The company's finished laces are shipped to Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in Ada, Ohio. Wilson footballs are closed by hand-stitching with the laces after the bladder has been inserted.