OpenAI has introduced an unexpected new product to its official online store. Along with its new AI coding keyboard, the company has quietly launched a ChatGPT Basketball. While most people know OpenAI for ChatGPT and AI tools, this new product shows the company is also expanding into branded merchandise.
The ChatGPT Basketball is priced at $70 and is part of OpenAI’s “Pause. Play. Prompt.” campaign. According to the company, the basketball is meant to remind people that creativity is not limited to computers or mobile screens. OpenAI wants users to take breaks, stay active, and find inspiration in the real world as well.
The basketball is a standard Size 7, measuring 29.5 inches, which is the official size used by most adult players. It is made from 100 percent rubber, making it a good choice for outdoor basketball courts, parks, and driveways. Although it is not made from premium leather like professional indoor basketballs, it is designed to be durable and suitable for everyday use.
OpenAI has not shared many details about the basketball beyond its product listing. Soon after it appeared on the company’s official Supply Co. online store, it was marked as out of stock, suggesting that the first batch sold out quickly or was released in limited numbers.
While the basketball has attracted attention, OpenAI’s main hardware announcement this week was the Codex Micro keyboard. The device costs $230 and was developed in partnership with Work Louder. It is designed for developers and AI users who work with Codex, OpenAI’s coding assistant.
OpenAI describes the Codex Micro as a command center for AI-powered coding. Instead of using only a mouse and keyboard, users can control different AI tasks with dedicated physical buttons and controls.
One of its most useful features is a set of Agent Keys that light up to show what the AI is doing. The lights can tell users whether the AI is thinking, running a task, waiting for input, or has finished its work. This allows developers to quickly understand the status of their AI assistants.
The keyboard also includes special command keys for common AI actions, a small joystick for launching different workflows, and a rotary dial that lets users adjust the reasoning level used by Codex. This gives users more direct control over how the AI works.
The Codex Micro supports both Bluetooth and USB-C connections, making it compatible with Windows and Mac computers. It also features mechanical keys, RGB lighting, a touch sensor, a rotary encoder, and a planar joystick, giving it a premium feel for developers and AI professionals.
OpenAI is also expanding its range of branded products through its Supply Co. store. Besides the basketball and keyboard, customers can buy clothing and accessories inspired by the company’s research culture. Some of the available products include the Good Research Tee for $40, the ChatGPT Longsleeve for $50, the Codex Build Hoodie for $100, and the Research Half Zip for $175.
According to OpenAI, the Supply Co. store originally started as a way to create merchandise for employees. Over time, the company decided to make these products available to the public. OpenAI says these items represent its research culture and give fans a way to connect with the brand outside of software.
Although the ChatGPT Basketball is not an AI-powered product, it has become one of the company’s most unusual launches. Rather than offering new technology, it serves as a fun collectible and a reminder that creativity can happen away from screens. Combined with the launch of the Codex Micro keyboard, it shows that OpenAI is beginning to explore physical products alongside its AI software.
For a company best known for ChatGPT, AI coding tools, and advanced language models, releasing a basketball is certainly unexpected. Even so, it has helped OpenAI attract attention and show a different side of its growing brand.
