SPALDING INTRODUCES COMMEMORATIVE 2008 NBA ALL STAR BALL


SPRINGFIELD, MA (February 11, 2008) —Spalding and the NBA have designed a new limited edition basketball that will commemorate NBA All-Star 2008.

The ball, designed in teal and gold colors replicating the local host New Orleans Hornets, will be used during the McDonald′s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and serve as the "Money Ball" during the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout during NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Spalding produced 2,008 individually numbered balls, available to fans at the NBA Store inside NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas, NBA Store locations throughout New Orleans, NBAStore.com and the NBA Store in New York City. The suggested retail price for the NBA All-Star 2008 Commemorative Ball is $75.

In addition, Spalding will provide the Official Net of NBA All-Star 2008 which features an embroidered NBA All-Star logo and will be used on-court at each NBA All-Star event. The first ever event-logo net is made of a 7 oz. anti-whip heavy duty nylon. A limited edition of 500 will be sold at the NBA Store inside NBA All-Star Jam Session, NBAStore.com and the NBA Store. The suggested retail price for the NBA All-Star 2008 Official Net is $20.

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.