Is leather biodegradable?

Hi all, I’ve been wondering—how biodegradable is leather when used for sports gear? Things like footballs, gloves, and other equipment are often made of leather, but does it break down naturally over time, or does the tanning process make it non-biodegradable?
I’m curious about is leather biodegradable because it seems like a lot of sports gear gets thrown out every year, and I wonder about the environmental impact. Are there eco-friendlier leather alternatives being used in sports, or is this something the industry hasn’t addressed yet?
Would love to hear thoughts or insights!