2007 ION® Sports Product of the Year Winner Announced

Business Wire, June 5, 2007

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- Spalding's MP3 Portable Basketball Backboard System has been named the 2007 ION[R] Sports Product of the Year.

The ION[R] Sports Product of the Year Awards, a highlight of the ION[R] Awards, highlight the industry's success in developing new and innovative products while inspiring retailers, sports purists, parents and kids alike.

Product submissions are judged by an independent panel on innovation, activation, application and contribution to the Sports market.

"With the MP3 Portable Basketball Backboard System, Spalding continues to position itself as a leader and pioneer in basketball and team sports," said Positive Ions Founder and CEO Dave Behar.

Spalding's MP3 Portable Basketball Backboard System features a 24 Second Electronic Shot Clock and a MP3 Adaptor with Speakers. It also includes a 60" Institutional Style Acrylic backboard and is equipped with an Institutional Screw Jack lift system that provides infinite height adjustment from 7.5 to 10 feet.

"This revolutionary product features a blend of athletics, music and technology that promotes participation in one of the world's most popular sports (basketball)," explained Behar. "Incorporating MP3 technology in sports products is a smart way for kids and adults to stay active with the highest level of personalization, customization, and interaction."

Spalding will be awarded a $10,000.00 marketing package in the ION[R] Network and ION[R] Fest event sponsorship.

"This award is a testament to Spalding's commitment to develop innovative products and move the industry forward and we are honored to receive this award from ION[R]", said Dan Touhey, Spalding's Vice President of Marketing.

Finalists and winners from the 2007 ION[R] Awards include the following companies:

Inspire Fitness, Everlast, Body Bar Systems, Cutters, Hoist Fitness, Baden Sports, Spalding, Hillerich & Bradsby, Riksha Runner, Tippmann Sports, Newell RubberMaid, High Sierra, Pitch Count, Sports Sensors, Endurance Bag Company, Mizuno, Xlider, Warrior Hockey, Brine, Baseline Licensing Group, Collaboration Reverberation, McDavid, ActiveWrap, Ladder Golf, Wilson, Championship Productions, MetalStorm Entertainment, Park & Sun Sports, Hammaka, Dyna Flex, Marmot and iXoundWear.

"All of this year's winners and finalists have made a great contribution to improving the health of kids and adults in an increasingly sedentary society," explained Behar.

For more information on the ION[R] Awards, please visit www.ionAwards.com.

About the ION[R] Network and Positive Ions, Inc.

The ION[R] Network features a unique broadcast and social media network with 1,000 focused ionChannels(SM) The ION[R] Network provides users with user submitted video, TV shows, events, information, goods and services all tailored to their interests and locale, with an emphasis on sports, kids, health, and family-related activities. The Network also includes original programming via the ION[R] Sports Channels, the ION[R] Cities Station Group (ionCities.com), ION[R] Kids Network, (ionkids.com), ionTelevision.com, ionMusic.com, ionFamily.com, ionHealth.com, ionNutrition.com, ionLife.com and ionEvents.com, along with the ION[R] Awards.

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 http://www.spalding.com/.>

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