TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND STAR-ATHLETE MISTY MAY-TREANOR SIGNS MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH SPALDING® BRAND

BOWLING GREEN, KY (February 9, 2012) --- Spalding, a division of Russell Brands, LLC, today announced that Misty May-Treanor, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the current no. 1-ranked American volleyball player in the world, has entered into a long-term marketing, licensing and promotional agreement with the brand.

Misty’s relationship with Spalding includes appearances, advertising, volleyball clinics, product development collaboration and signature products. Pro volleyball player , a 2008 Olympic gold medalist, and , a three- time Olympic gold medalist and USA Women’s National Team Coach, are also Spalding ambassadors.

Heading into the 2012 season, Misty and her partner are the no. 1 ranked U.S. team on the FIVB World Ranking. She is considered an early gold medal favorite for the 2012 in London.

“I learned to play and compete in on the sands of Santa Monica,” Misty said. “The only ball on the beach then was the Spalding® Top-Flite 18 Panel. At this point in my career, to be involved with the company that helped launch my volleyball journey and that of so many other players is awesome.”

Spalding will be working with Misty to further develop her M2 Clinic program, which works to promote indoor and outdoor volleyball for boys and girls across the country. Additionally, Misty will assist Spalding in development of the brand’s best-in-class outdoor net and net system category and provide design insight on the colors and styles of the brand’s indoor volleyball collection.

“Working with Misty is an honor for Spalding,” said Paul Sullivan, vice president of sales and marketing for Spalding. “Her success on and off the sand speaks for itself. Her passion and desire to share her love of the sport with fans around the world embodies the ‘True to the Game’ spirit of the Spalding® brand.”

The Spalding relationship with Misty follows a recently executed multi-year licensing agreement with USA Volleyball as part of the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Series, Volley America, the Wide Open Tour and the Junior Beach.

To learn more about the Spalding® brand, visit www.Spalding.com.

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About Spalding

A Division of Russell Brands, LLC, Spalding is the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world, and America’s first baseball company. 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 baseball of the Little League World Series, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of Pop Warner. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley brand. The SPALDING® and DUDLEY® trademarks are owned by Russell Brands, LLC. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.

Media Contact: Allison Goldstein Ketchum Sports & Entertainment for Russell Athletic 646.935.4164 (office) [email protected]