Ball Manufacturer Select Continues Search for Buyer

Select, a company renowned for its production of footballs and handballs, continues its search for a buyer to acquire the business. The process, which began two years ago, is still ongoing, according to CEO Peter Knap.

"It takes the time it takes," Knap told DetailWatch. "Our ownership circle – the family – is preparing for a generational shift and would very much like to find the right person to carry it forward and take the next step."

The company was established in 1947 by Danish football goalkeeper Eigil Nielsen, who played 28 matches for the national team and won an Olympic bronze medal in 1948. At a time when professional athletes could not sustain themselves solely on their sport, Nielsen studied sports psychology while working in the footwear and leather industry. During this period, he created the first Select football.

Four years after founding the company, Nielsen secured an agreement with the Danish Football Union (DBU) to supply balls for national team matches, a partnership that endures today. The "Select Brilliant Super UZ" football is currently used in Denmark's top football league, the Superliga.

Beyond footballs and handballs, Select's product range includes gloves, resistance bands, and ankle and knee supports. The company has demonstrated relatively stable financial performance in recent years. According to its latest annual report for 2025, gross profit has remained between 67 and 78 million kroner since 2022, with last year's results at the higher end of that range. Net profit after tax was close to 28 million kroner in 2025.