Renewed as Official Ball of Nebraska High Schools

Baden athletic balls to continue being used exclusively in Nebraska high school championships in four sports RENTON, Wash. (Sept. 25, 2015) – Baden Sports, Inc., today announced a multi-year agreement with the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) to continue supplying official game balls for all sanctioned NSAA events, including state championships, in basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. The deal extends a relationship that began with the 2011-12 school year. “Our support of high school sports in Nebraska has never been stronger,” said Michael Schindler, CEO, Baden Sports. “We look forward to continuing our work with the administrators and coaches throughout the state, and are confident – no matter the sport – that our products will continue to deliver the best possible playing experience for years to come.” Baden balls, designated as official by the NSAA, include: Basketball: The Elite™ Game Ball, model BX7E for boys or BX6E for girls, is Baden’s highest-quality game ball. Engineered for touch and consistency, it features a symmetrical design, the company’s proprietary Cushion Control Technology™ – which delivers a truer bounce and softer feel by embedding thousands of tiny air cells in the ball’s carcass – and the Stealth Soft-Valve System™, which softens the entire valve panel and nearly eliminates exposed valve rubber. Soccer: The Perfection^® Elite™ SX751-CPL for boys and girls is constructed of premium, hand-sewn microfiber and features Baden’s Cross Panel Lamination™ process for superior touch and consistency in the air or on the ground. The ball also comes with Rainshield™ technology, which prevents water absorption and ensures playability in all types of weather. Volleyball: The Perfection^® VX5EC is Baden’s top-of-the-line game volleyball, constructed with full-grain, pre-sorted leather tanned for optimum touch and feel. It also includes the Stealth Soft-Valve System™, the lightest butyl bladder ever used for volleyball, a blended cotton wrap to ensure shape retention, and a specially formulated adhesive to prevent panels from peeling. Two new volleyball carts – the Perfection^® Hammock Cart and the Perfection^® Portable Cart – also will be used throughout the state. Both have been freshly designed for quality and durability, and feature tempered alloy frames, nylon bags with reinforced seams, non-marking rollerblade wheels and unprecedented three-year guarantees. Softball: The Perfection^® Leather Game Ball 2BSFPY has an optic yellow cover, Baden’s Control Seam™ for superior grip, and a poly core. In addition to the above products, the agreement also names Baden’s QB1™ football the official state ball in Nebraska, though use of it will not be mandated by the NSAA. “Baden’s commitment to quality and service has only strengthened with time and we look forward to working with them for many more years,” said Dr. Jim Tenopir, NSAA Executive Director. “Equally important is the remarkable depth and breadth of Baden’s ball lineup, which ensures coaches and players in all of our sports receive the same high-quality playing experience.” All of Baden’s athletic balls, including accessories, can be purchased through team dealers, online or at select retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.badensports.com. About NSAA The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that administers the statewide high school activities program for high school students in Nebraska. The NSAA currently oversees 19 sports and five fine arts programs. The NSAA has been in existence and serving the youth of the state since 1910. The NSAA membership and participation figures for 2015-16 include 303 high schools. About Baden Sports Baden Sports, Inc., an independent, family-owned company based in Renton, Wash., is a designer and producer of the highest-quality athletic balls. Baden also manufactures the new Axe™ line of high-performance baseball and softball bats. For 36 years, Baden's product innovation and leadership have led conferences, programs and coaches at all levels to choose Baden as their official ball. For more information, visit Baden's website and Facebook page.

Baden athletic balls to continue being used exclusively in Nebraska high school championships in four sports RENTON, Wash. (Sept. 25, 2015) – Baden Sports, Inc., today announced a multi-year agreement with the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) to continue supplying official game balls for all sanctioned NSAA events, including state championships, in basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. The deal extends a relationship that began with the 2011-12 school year. “Our support of high school sports in Nebraska has never been stronger,” said Michael Schindler, CEO, Baden Sports. “We look forward to continuing our work with the administrators and coaches throughout the state, and are confident – no matter the sport – that our products will continue to deliver the best possible playing experience for years to come.” Baden balls, designated as official by the NSAA, include: Basketball: The Elite™ Game Ball, model BX7E for boys or BX6E for girls, is Baden’s highest-quality game ball. Engineered for touch and consistency, it features a symmetrical design, the company’s proprietary Cushion Control Technology™ – which delivers a truer bounce and softer feel by embedding thousands of tiny air cells in the ball’s carcass – and the Stealth Soft-Valve System™, which softens the entire valve panel and nearly eliminates exposed valve rubber. Soccer: The Perfection^® Elite™ SX751-CPL for boys and girls is constructed of premium, hand-sewn microfiber and features Baden’s Cross Panel Lamination™ process for superior touch and consistency in the air or on the ground. The ball also comes with Rainshield™ technology, which prevents water absorption and ensures playability in all types of weather. Volleyball: The Perfection^® VX5EC is Baden’s top-of-the-line game volleyball, constructed with full-grain, pre-sorted leather tanned for optimum touch and feel. It also includes the Stealth Soft-Valve System™, the lightest butyl bladder ever used for volleyball, a blended cotton wrap to ensure shape retention, and a specially formulated adhesive to prevent panels from peeling. Two new volleyball carts – the Perfection^® Hammock Cart and the Perfection^® Portable Cart – also will be used throughout the state. Both have been freshly designed for quality and durability, and feature tempered alloy frames, nylon bags with reinforced seams, non-marking rollerblade wheels and unprecedented three-year guarantees. Softball: The Perfection^® Leather Game Ball 2BSFPY has an optic yellow cover, Baden’s Control Seam™ for superior grip, and a poly core. In addition to the above products, the agreement also names Baden’s QB1™ football the official state ball in Nebraska, though use of it will not be mandated by the NSAA. “Baden’s commitment to quality and service has only strengthened with time and we look forward to working with them for many more years,” said Dr. Jim Tenopir, NSAA Executive Director. “Equally important is the remarkable depth and breadth of Baden’s ball lineup, which ensures coaches and players in all of our sports receive the same high-quality playing experience.” All of Baden’s athletic balls, including accessories, can be purchased through team dealers, online or at select retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.badensports.com. About NSAA The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that administers the statewide high school activities program for high school students in Nebraska. The NSAA currently oversees 19 sports and five fine arts programs. The NSAA has been in existence and serving the youth of the state since 1910. The NSAA membership and participation figures for 2015-16 include 303 high schools. About Baden Sports Baden Sports, Inc., an independent, family-owned company based in Renton, Wash., is a designer and producer of the highest-quality athletic balls. Baden also manufactures the new Axe™ line of high-performance baseball and softball bats. For 36 years, Baden's product innovation and leadership have led conferences, programs and coaches at all levels to choose Baden as their official ball. For more information, visit Baden's website and Facebook page.