American Made System to be Played at all NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League Arenas

SPRINGFIELD, MA (October 28, 2008) — Spalding has been named the official backboard supplier of the National Basketball Association providing all NBA arenas with the Spalding Portable Backstop System, which includes the backboard and stanchion, beginning this season.

Since the 2007-08 season, the system has been used by the 2008 NBA Champion Boston, the Phoenix Suns, and the NBA D-League. An increasing number of NCAA Division I universities and colleges and NBA-level private training facilities have used the system for the past two years, in addition to the NCAA Men′s and Women′s Final Four Basketball Championships which has used the system for the past two years. Spalding′s Portable Backstop System is designed, manufactured and assembled in Jefferson, Iowa, USA.

In total, all 48 basketball arenas associated with the NBA (including the WNBA and the NBA D-League) will be using the Spalding backboard system. The installation with the WNBA and the expansion NBA D-League teams will continue over the next two seasons.

"Spalding′s backboard system is proven and provides top quality performance," stated Christopher Arena, Vice President, NBA Global Merchandising Group. "By supplying every NBA arena with the identical system, we ensure uniformity and consistency in play at the highest level."

The NBA and Spalding subjected the backstop and backboard to a thorough, two-year evaluation process that included laboratory and on-court testing as well as official play at NBA and NCAA games.

"Spalding has channeled years of research and expertise in producing this equipment so that the highest standards are upheld," said Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing, Spalding. "The NBA′s decision for uniformity further signifies the importance of performance, authenticity and Spalding′s positioning as a manufacturer of products that are ′True to the Game.′ "

Spalding′s Main Court Portable Backstop is equipped with a regulation SuperGlass Pro Backboard (a finished regulation size of 42" x 72" and contains 1/2" tempered glass), E-Z Bolt Backboard Padding, as well as customizable padding for the unit itself and is designed to aesthetically fit into a sleek, streamlined look.

Spalding, the world′s leader in basketball equipment and the official basketball of the NBA, is currently entering its fifth year of an eight year deal with the NBA. Spalding also holds the license for retail backboards.

About Spalding

A Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of two business units; Spalding in Springfield, MA and American Athletic (AAI) in Jefferson, IA. The combined Spalding Group is now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball 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. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Springfield, MA-based Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley® brand. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.