SPALDING INTRODUCES THE BEAST, FIRST EVER 60" RESIDENTIAL GLASS PORTABLE

SPRINGFIELD, MA (October 1, 2007) — Spalding, the world's leader in basketball equipment, is bringing an NBA in-arena style experience to a new portable outdoor system. By introducing The Beast, Spalding now offers the first ever 60" glass portable backboard system in the market.

The Spalding Beast's glass board provides increased benefits to players, highlighted by a 37% truer rebound than achieved with acrylic systems. The Beast also boasts an aluminum trimmed unit which features a heavy duty steel frame, Z-arm board mounts that provide increased stability and a heavy duty Pro Image® breakaway rim. In addition, an institutional style lift provides infinite height adjustment from 7.5' to 10', a portable, multi-wheel with castors base provides ease of movement and a four strut pole/base mount provides superior system rigidity.

"The Beast is another innovative first from Spalding and provides consumers with a high performing, portable glass backboard system," stated Bob Llewellyn, director of consumer marketing for Spalding. "Consumers now have the ability to play on a 60" glass system wherever the chose."

The Beast is available in major sporting goods outlets including The Sports Authority and Dick's and can also be purchased on-line by visiting most sporting goods e-tailer's websites. The Beast has a suggested retail price of $999.

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 and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.