BOWLING GREEN, Ky., March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Spalding and the NCAA announced a partnership extension that will make the world's largest basketball equipment provider the Official Supplier of Backstop, Backboard and Goal Equipment for both the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. The partnership – which extends the longstanding relationship between Spalding and the NCAA through August 2021 – will include use of Spalding's basketball systems at all of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Championship sites, as well as licensing rights to utilize the NCAA brand logo on Spalding basketball systems products sold at retail locations. 

"As a company, basketball is in our DNA and as such has always been at the core of what we do, with a keen emphasis on the growth of the game and commitment to innovation," said Paul Sullivan, Spalding Senior Vice President and General Manager. "As such, our partnership with the NCAA, which serves as a pathway to today's greatest student-athletes, is one we value greatly. We look forward to providing the country's elite basketball talent with equipment that enables them to play to their highest level and honors our mutual love of the game."

The partnership will tip-off in a big way with the debut of Spalding's newest innovation, the all-new Spalding Arena Renegade™ Portable Backstop at this year's NCAA Men's Final Four® weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Spalding Arena Renegade includes a number of features that provide enhanced audience visibility and media management including a slim profile and hidden cable channels on the boom and its trademarked Arena Renegade SuperGlass Prosb Backboard. In addition, the backstop – available in 10' 8" and 8' extensions to meet all professional, collegiate, high school and international specifications – includes an Auto Lift Mechanism (ALM) that provides one-step setup without the need of tools, a stability lock to help decrease sway, and customizable padding and frame to match team colors.

"We place high value on our longstanding relationship with Spalding as the company has been a highly-respected brand and anchor in the basketball community for many years," said Keith Martin, NCAA managing director of championships and alliances.  "Each year we look for ways to make our championships an exciting experience for the student-athletes and fans. We also want to stay in line with new technology and working with Spalding helps us with that goal."

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About Spalding
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® and the official volleyball of the King of the Beach® Volleyball Tour. 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.

About NCAA
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the Association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes.

Media Contact:
Bryan Kirsch
201-686-8859
bryan@relativeconsultants.com

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