SPALDING'S NEVERFLATT BASKETBALL IS BEST OF WHAT'S NEW INNOVATION
Pressure Retaining Product Recognized by Popular

Springfield, MA, November 9, 2005
Fresh off the heels of introducing the Spalding NEVERFLATT basketball, Popular Science Magazine has recognized the basketball guaranteed to hold air 10 times longer than traditional basketballs, among the Best of What's New products in the recreation category.

The NEVERFLAT^™ basketball, with proprietary pressure retention technologies, is the only ball guaranteed to stay fully inflated for at least one year - with no additional air needed during that period. The Spalding NEVERFLAT^™ basketball, with a suggested retail price of $39.99, hits store shelves mid November, in time for the holiday shopping season.

"NEVERFLAT^™ is clearly an innovative marvel but more importantly it solves the major concern of consumers who shop this category today," stated Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing. "Our market research unveiled that consumers are most interested in a product that will stay inflated and we're clearly delivering on that need."

According to Ron Laliberty, Spalding's director of research and development, "Traditional basketballs lose air on a consistent basis, resulting in a ball that falls out of Game Ball specification within a few months. For years we've studied all aspects of the construction of the basketball, from the bladder to the valve to air treatment. Spalding's NEVERFLAT^™ technology maintains consistent air pressure like no other ball in the marketplace."

Spalding's NEVERFLAT^™ basketball utilizes patent pending, exclusive full-ball construction technologies, a first within the inflated sports category, to produce a ball that holds pressure 10X longer than traditional balls. In addition:

• No seepage: A new membrane technology tightens the natural pores in the ball's bladder to improve pressure retention. In addition, proprietary NitroFlate^™ molecules are injected into the ball, forming a protective barrier against air seepage.
• No Leakage: a redesigned valve with cap eliminates leaks and keeps dirt out
• Guaranteed to stay fully inflated for 1 year -- resulting in consistent Game Ball bounce height for at least one year.

NEVERFLAT's all new technologies include a unique and proprietary manufacturing process for inflating the ball. Spalding's NEVERFLAT^™ appeals to all consumers and bridges the gap between the competitive player and the casual player. The product's technology provides a high standard of performance, meeting all NBA specifications and consistency for competitive play. For consumers who want ease of use and don't play often, it means the ball is ready to play at all times, even if sitting dormant for months.

ABOUT SPALDING

As 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 Huffy Sports, in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball supplier 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, the official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.