Spalding Solves Inflation Issue: New NEVERFLAT Basketball

November 15, 2006– Another chapter in innovation is unfolding for Spalding, the world’s largest basketball equipment brand. A pioneer in product development since introducing the first official basketball in 1894, Spalding is launching NEVERFLAT®, the first-ever ball with proprietary pressure retention technologies guaranteed to hold air up to 10 times longer than traditional basketballs.

The Spalding NEVERFLAT™ basketball is the only ball guaranteed to stay fully inflated for at least one year – with no additional air needed during that period. NEVERFLAT comes five years since Spalding made headlines and pumped up sales with the INFUSION basketball and its built-in pump.

According to Ron Laliberty, Spalding’s director of research and development, “Traditional basketballs lose air on a consistent basis, resulting in a ball that falls out of Game Ball specification within a few months. For years we’ve studied all aspects of the construction of the basketball, from the bladder to the valve to air treatment. Spalding’s NEVERFLAT technology upholds consistent air pressure like no other ball in the marketplace.”

The Spalding NEVERFLAT basketball, with a suggested retail price of $39.99, hits store shelves mid November, in time for the holiday shopping season.

"Spalding's constant cycle of innovation has been integral in maintaining its 100 plus years of brand strength,” stated Mike May, Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. "The INFUSION wowed everyone five years ago and now NEVERFLAT looks like another dramatic step in breakthrough technology with product benefits that truly matter to the consumer. Spalding continues to be at the forefront of new product development in the category."

Spalding’s NEVERFLAT basketball utilizes patent pending, exclusive full-ball construction technologies, a first within the inflated sports category, to dramatically increase pressure retention.

In addition:

• No seepage: a new membrane and NitroFlate air technology virtually eliminates air’s ability to escape. This new membrane technology tightens the natural pores in the ball’s bladder to improve pressure retention. In addition, proprietary NitroFlate™ molecules are injected into the ball, forming a protective barrier against air seepage.
• No Leakage: a redesigned valve with cap eliminates leaks and keeps dirt out
  
• Holds air 10 times longer than traditional basketballs, resulting in consistent NBA Game Ball bounce height for at least one year.
  

NEVERFLAT’s all new technologies include a unique and proprietary manufacturing process for inflating the ball.

Spalding’s NEVERFLAT appeals to all consumers and bridges the gap between the competitive player and the casual player. The product’s technology provides a high standard of performance, meeting NBA specifications and consistency for competitive play. For consumers who want ease of use and don’t play often, it means the ball is ready to play at all times, even if sitting dormant for months.

NEVERFLAT VERSUS INFUSION: Spalding’s product innovations, from NEVERFLAT to INFUSION, address two contrasting inflation issues – customization and consistency. With Spalding’s NEVERFLAT basketball, the proprietary pressure retention technology provides a guaranteed bounce consistency for one year with no additional air needed during that period. With INFUSION, consumers can adapt the air pressure to their preferred specifications.

“Our research shows there’s a market for both products but clearly NEVERFLAT is the model of consistency showcasing no change in air pressure whereas INFUSION provides consumers the ability to customize to their comfort level,” stated Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing, Spalding.

According to Spalding, the introduction of INFUSION led to a more than 50 percent increase in basketball sales in the first year while growing the sporting goods category by 12 percent. While Spalding would not disclose sales projections for NEVERFLAT, officials believe the uniqueness and durability of the product as well as consumer benefits will ultimately drive sales similar to INFUSION.

For more information, visit www.spalding.com

SOURCE Spalding