A Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of three business units: Spalding in Springfield, MA; American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) in Jefferson, IA; and Spalding Backboards in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Springfield, MA-based Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley brand.

Spalding
150 Brookdale Drive
Springfield, MA 01104
Phone: 1-800-SPALDING
Email: consumerrelation@spalding.com

Dealer Inquiries:
Contact Customer Service at: 1-800-SPALDING

Spalding is a Division of Russell Corporation:
Russell Corporation
3330 Cumberland Blvd.
Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: 678-742-8000

• What is your mailing address?
• What is your e-mail address?
• Does Spalding offer complimentary samples of basketballs?
• Can I order product directly from Spalding.
• I have a Spalding basketball that I believe may be defective and would like to send it in for inspection and possible replacement. What steps do I take to return the product?
• How many pebbles are on a Spalding basketball?
• How much air should I inflate into my Spalding basketball?
• What are the circumference, diameter, and weight of a Spalding basketball?
• What is the life expectancy of my Spalding basketball?
• Should I deflate my Spalding basketball completely for air travel?
• I would like to purchase a Spalding basketball, but I cannot find a retailer in my area that carries the specific model I am looking for. May I purchase the ball directly from you?
• What is the difference between narrow and wide channels on a basketball?
• What is the difference between a full size Spalding women's basketball and a youth size Spalding basketball?
• How should I clean my Spalding basketball?
• What are the differences between a leather, composite, synthetic and a rubber basketball? Are there any benefits in using one over the other?
• Can a leather basketball, such as the NBA game ball, be used for outdoor play?
• What is the regulation height for a basketball hoop?

Q. What is your mailing address?
A. Spalding
150 Brookdale Drive
Springfield, MA 01104   

Q. What is your e-mail address?
A. ConsumerRelation@Spalding.com

Q. Does Spalding offer complimentary samples of basketballs?
A. As you can imagine, Spalding receives numerous requests for complimentary merchandise. To fulfill all such requests would not be feasible. In order to maintain a consistent and fair policy, we have decided to refrain from distributing samples directly from the Spalding factory. We appreciate you understanding our position.

Q. Can I order product directly from Spalding.
A. Our products are sold through Spalding authorized dealers only.

Q. I have a Spalding basketball that I believe may be defective and would like to send it in for inspection and possible replacement. What steps do I take to return the product?
A. In the event that you have a warranty claim, please return the product to the point of purchase.   

Q. How many pebbles are on a Spalding basketball?
A. There are 122 pebbles per square inch on a Spalding basketball which is equivalent to approximately 35,000 pebbles.

Q. How much air should I inflate into my Spalding basketball?
A. Inflate 7-9 pounds of air into your Spalding basketball. You may also find this information located by the valve area on your basketball.

Q. What are the circumference, diameter, and weight of a Spalding basketball?
A. The circumference and weight of a basketball varies with the size of the basketball.

• Full Size - Circumference: 29.5"


• Junior/Intermediate - Circumference: 28.5"


• Youth - Circumference: 27.5"

Q. What is the life expectancy of my Spalding basketball?
A. The life expectancy of a basketball is generally 40,000-50,000 bounces.   

Q. Should I deflate my Spalding basketball completely for air travel?
A. For air flight your basketball should be deflated to 3-4 pounds but not entirely. Complete deflation may affect the outside panels.

Q. I would like to purchase a Spalding basketball, but I cannot find a retailer in my area that carries the specific model I am looking for. May I purchase the ball directly from you?
A. Spalding authorized dealers may place orders for any product currently available in the Spalding line.

Q. What is the difference between narrow and wide channels on a basketball?
A. Wide channels on a basketball offer the player better control by enhancing the players grip ability. Deciding between wide or narrow channel basketball is based on the players personal preference.

Q. What is the difference between a full size Spalding women's basketball and a youth size Spalding basketball?
A. The only difference is the circumference of the basketball. The circumference of the women's basketball is 28.5". The circumference of the youth basketball is 27.5"

Q. How should I clean my Spalding basketball?
A. Soap and water may be used to clean your basketball. However we do not recommend soaking the basketball.

Q. What are the differences between a leather, composite, synthetic and a rubber basketball? Are there any benefits in using one over the other?
A. We use a variety of cover materials for our basketballs, each with their unique characteristics and benefits.

• Leather basketballs have a cover that is made from 100% genuine leather, providing a soft, broken-in feel over time. Leather basketballs are designed for indoor play only.


• Composite and Synthetic leathers are man-made materials manufactured to simulate the characteristics and durability of natural leather. But, unlike leather, these man-made materials have the benefit of being broken-in leather soft right out of the box and are less costly.


• Rubber basketballs are made with a durable rubber cover and are ideal for outdoor surfaces.
   

Q. Can a leather basketball, such as the NBA game ball, be used for outdoor play?
A. Leather basketballs are designed exclusively for indoor play. Playing a leather basketball on surfaces other than indoor floors will damage the cover material.

Q. What is the regulation height for a basketball hoop?
A. The regulation height is 10 feet to the top of the rim.

If you are under 18 years old, please read this Privacy Policy with your parents. If you are under 13 years old, then you must have your parents' permission to write us. Children should always check with their parents before writing to us, or to anyone, on the internet.

Spalding Sports ("Spalding") is committed to respecting the privacy rights of visitors to the Spalding website (this "Site"). While visiting this Site, you may be asked to provide information that personally identifies you for purposes of interacting with this Site. The information we receive depends on what you do when visiting our Site. If you visit our Site to read information, we collect and store only the following information about you: the name of the domain and host through which you access the internet (for example, aol.com if you are connecting from an America Online account), the date and time you access our Site, and your IP address. An IP address is the name the internet uses to identify your computer. The information we receive is used to prevent duplication of information and for replying to you if you contact us, and will not be shared. We will categorize the non-personal information we receive in order to understand general market trends. We use this information to measure the number of visitors to different sections of our Site, so that we can make the Site more useful to our visitors.

If you make a request for information, we collect and store the personally identifiable information needed to fulfill your request (typically your name, mailing address, and email address). We do not collect any personal information that you do not voluntarily provide us, and we do not sell or exchange or otherwise share personal information presented by our visitors with anyone for any reason.

You may choose to send personally identifiable information to other sites you have linked to through our Site. We do not control the collection or use of this information, and make no representations about the privacy policies or practices of other sites.

Spalding uses industry-standard security measures to safeguard the personal information you submit to us. However, please remember that perfect security does not exist on the internet. Non-persistent cookies are used during a particular session, but are not stored on your computer's hard drive when the session is over. The information is stored only temporarily and is used primarily for technical reasons such as ease of navigation. We do use non-persistent cookies to enhance your visit to our website; these cookies disappear automatically as soon as you end your session.

Nothing herein shall prevent Spalding and its affiliates form using information provided to us, by email or otherwise, in investigating claims or complaints, or defending Spalding and its affiliates and their employees against claims or complaints.

If you wish to review or change your personally identifiable information, you may do so by emailing your request to Spalding. Spalding will send you an email stating any personally identifiable information it has stored concerning you and will make specific changes you may request.

Spalding will notify visitors of material changes to this Privacy Policy by (i) posting a revised version of the Policy on the Site and (ii) indicating the date of the revision on the "Privacy Policy" link on the home page.

If you have questions about Spalding's privacy policy or practices, please contact Spalding.
Rev. 07.08.08