RML Russell CP Delaware

Attempts Series of World Records at NBA All-Star Jam Session SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Perfect pressure under pressure. The world's largest basketball equipment brand, Spalding, will utilize its revolutionary new basketball to demonstrate its uncanny ability to sustain consistent performance under extreme pressure. The NEVER FLAT basketball, guaranteed to stay inflated 10 times longer than traditional basketballs, will be put to its greatest test(s) yet at the upcoming weekend's NBA All-Star Jam Session in Houston, TX when it continues its assault on more Guinness World Records. "Sustained performance under pressure is the mantra of NEVER FLAT and that is what this series of record-breaking attempts is based on," stated Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing, Spalding. The Spalding NEVER FLAT, already recognized as the official ball of the world's longest basketball game (January 14-16, 2006), has teamed up with the NBA to set four more Guinness World Records, including the longest time dribbling a basketball -- a record that would become official after passing the 24-hour mark. Additional records for most free throws made in one minute (48), most three point shots made in one minute (19), and the longest time spinning a basketball on one finger (3 hours, 59 minutes) will also be attempted during the 2006 NBA All-Star Jam Session on the Spalding World Record Court. Spalding has enlisted NBA players and basketball aficionados for the events, including long-time company endorser and Boston Celtics NBA All-Star Paul Pierce, who will attempt the world record in shooting; Kenny Smith, former NBA player and current TNT analyst, who will serve as the official event spokesperson; Dave Hopla, one of the premier shooters in the world, and Michael "Wild Thing" Wilson, Guinness World Record holder for the vertical slam dunk (12 feet) and Harlem Globetrotter. Since introducing the product to store shelves in November, the Spalding NEVER FLAT has been the top selling basketball in the sporting goods channel and received accolades for innovation (from Popular Science and as a semi- finalist Sports Edge for its Product of the Year) and driven a double-digit increase in marketshare. Recently, the Spalding NEVER FLAT Duke-Carolina Student Basketball Marathon was held in Chapel Hill, NC January 14-16. Twenty-four students from college basketball's biggest rivalry played the world's longest game, clocking in for 57 hours, 17 minutes and 41 seconds, topping the official Guinness World Record of 33 hours, 35 minutes, set in Badhomburg, Ober-erlenbach Germany, April 15-17, 2005. While the Duke students outscored their North Carolina-Chapel Hill rivals 3,688 points to 3,444 points, the real winner was Hoop Dreams Basketball Academy, a non-profit organization that supports children with life-threatening illnesses, who share a passion for the game of basketball. The event, backed by Spalding, raised $60,000 and the one NEVER FLAT used throughout the entire three-day event was estimated to have bounced 125,000 times. "The NEVER FLAT has staying power and it's great to see Spalding's constant cycle of innovation continue," stated Mike May, Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. "Innovation has been integral in maintaining Spalding's 100-plus years of brand strength. NEVER FLAT looks like another dramatic step in breakthrough technology with product benefits that truly matter to the consumer." NEVER FLAT is the first-ever ball with proprietary pressure retention technologies guaranteed to hold air up to 10 times longer than traditional basketballs. It is also the only ball guaranteed to stay fully inflated for at least one year - with no additional air needed during that period. "The market acceptance for the NEVER FLAT has been tremendous from the get-go," added Touhey. "All of our retail partners have supported the NEVER FLAT since its launch and as a result, early indications suggest another success in our rich history of innovative products." The Spalding NEVER FLAT basketball has a suggested retail price of $39.99. ABOUT SPALDING As a Division of Russell Corporation (NYSE:RML), 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 http://www.spalding.com/ First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: DATASOURCE: Spalding CONTACT: Lynn Luczkowski of Spalding, +1-413-478-1569, or Web site: http://www.spalding.com/

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