SOLID DEBUT OF SPALDING NBA PLAYER JERSEY LINE LEADS TO ALL-STAR EDITIONS
-- East-West Basketballs Available for NBA All-Star Weekend --

SPRINGFIELD, MA (January 17, 2005)
Expanding on the early success of the Spalding NBA Player Jersey line, Spalding will fashion All-Star versions to the new lineup of basketballs -- the NBA All-Star Player Jersey, a high-end glossy basketball designed that will resemble the actual NBA All-Star game jerseys. Available in time for the NBA 2005 All-Star weekend Feb 17-21, the Spalding NBA All-Star Player Jersey line is made from a cover material of underglass composite leather with a "braided" undertone.

Since introducing the NBA Player Jersey line in November and receiving rave reviews from the trade, consumers and the press, Spalding continues to add new players to the current lineup of 12 different NBA player designs. With over 350 current NBA players available to produce, the opportunities in 2005 are extensive.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James Spalding NBA Player Jersey has been the number one seller since the product was introduced in November. Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal and Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce headline the starting lineup of 12 different NBA player designs including Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons), Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana Pacers), Stephon Marbury (New York Knicks), Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves), Yao Ming (Houston Rockets), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks).

"Consumers wanted style with substance which has resulted in a solid debut for the NBA Player Jersey Line," stated Bob Llewellyn, director of marketing, basketball, for Spalding. "Because this product line has been embraced as a collectible, it was natural for us to add the All-Star jerseys to the Spalding NBA Player Jersey line. Once again it showcases our ability to innovate and create premium products with new materials all in an effort to strengthen our leadership position in basketball."

Based on its long-term partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Spalding has access to 350 current NBA players and more than 600 retired NBA players, Hardwood Classic logos and All Star logos. Spalding has exclusive rights to use multiple player features including the NBA team logo, NBA logoman, jersey design and the player's name.

"Spalding is committed to continuously providing the hundreds of millions of basketball players around the world with new and interesting kinds of basketballs," said Christopher Arena, NBA Senior Director, Apparel, Sporting Goods and Basketball Partnerships. "The NBA Player Jersey line gives fans a chance to show their allegiance to their favorite player with style while enjoying the quality of a Spalding basketball."

The full size NBA All-Star East and West Player Jersey basketballs (suggested retail price of $29.99 each) will ship in a Jersey-specific packer that will resemble the actual uniform material. An NBA All-Star East and West size 3 mini ball offering is available at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The product will be sold within All-Star Jam Session as well as at select sporting goods retailers, including The Sports Authority, and collectible dealers.

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.