NBA ALL-STAR PAUL PIERCE FEATURED IN TRIO OF NEW SPALDING PRINT ADS
New Creative for INFUSION3®, NBA Jersey Basketball and Zi/O Basketballs

Springfield, MA, May 23, 2005
Paul Pierce, the go-to-guy and All-Star for the Boston Celtics, continues to hold the same title for Spalding. The long-time endorser of Spalding products is prominently featured in three new print advertisements for a 2005 lineup of new products which include INFUSION3, the Spalding NBA Jersey basketball and the Spalding Zi/O Excel basketball.

"Forward Thinking" features Pierce in a dramatic, statuesque pose as the Thinker sitting on a pile of old, used and outdated pumps. The print ad reads, "The new INFUSION3. A faster Micro Pump inflates at twice the original speed."

"It's been four years since we introduced INFUSION, the first ever basketball with a built-in Micro Pump. While many were in awe of the first-of-its-kind technology, we have since advanced its capabilities. INFUSION3 has evolved into a must-have for consumers and we believe the creative conveys this in the message," stated Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing, Spalding.

"It's Time to Play Favorites" a new print ad has Pierce donning his familiar green Celtics jersey while holding his own Paul Pierce #34 Spalding NBA Jersey basketball. The copy reads, "Your favorite NBA players' uniform is now a basketball. Hit the court in home or away style with authentic jersey designs only from Spalding."

In addition, Spalding has created a streaming video off of its first Jersey ball print ad, "Were Giving You the Shirts off Our Back." The video appears on NBAStore.com and will be seen by fans in four NBA arenas - DC, Boston, San Antonio and Indianapolis. The product line, which has received rave reviews in the industry, was introduced in January. There are currently 15 different player jersey balls on the market, including LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson. Additional player jersey balls are slated to launch in the near future.

"The Truth on Handling" has Pierce holding the Zi/O Excel basketball behind his back, which is emblazoned with his familiar tattoo "The Chosen One." The copy reads, "The new Zi/O Excel basketball. It's the same Zi/O that has been played competitively on courts across the country, only better. The addition of superior foam backing under full ball pebbling makes handling now even more precise. That's the truth."

Spalding will run the ads this year in such publications as SLAM, Inside Stuff, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Dime, School Sports and Bounce. All creative has been developed by Winstanley Associates out of Lenox, Massachusetts.

ABOUT SPALDING

Springfield, MA-based Spalding is a leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls under the Spalding brand name and softballs under the Dudley brand. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official volleyball of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Volleyball Association (AVA), the official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the official football of the American Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. Spalding was acquired by Russell Corporation in May 2003. Spalding and Russell's other business units, American Athletic (AAI) and Huffy Sports brands, collectively combined, are now part of the largest basketball equipment provider in the country. AAI is the leading seller of gymnastics equipment in the country as well as institutional basketball backboards, and Huffy Sports, is a leader in basketball backboard systems.