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History of Spalding

Spalding is a sporting goods company started in Chicago by A.G. Spalding in 1876. Spalding manufactures goods for many sports, including baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball, football, golf, and most well known, basketball. Spalding is the leader in basketball, and their basketballs sell much better than their other goods. Their premium ball is the official ball of the NBA, which has contributed to their immense success. Spalding became a division of Russell Corporation in 2003.

Spalding is also a leader in technology. Most of their technological advancements relate to basketballs. They are notable for developing the first basketball. In 2001 they released their Infusion technology, which features a built in micro pump which allows one to add air without a pump or needle. Spalding furthered their Infusion technology in 2003, when Spalding started manufacturing basketballs with Infusion technology so that users could also release air without a needle. The Infusion3 came out in 2005. Infusion3 is a dual action micro pump that works twice as fast as its predecessors. In late 2005 Spalding also came out with the NEVERFLAT technology, which guarantees that the ball will keep the same consistent bounce for at least one year. This eliminates the need for a pump and needle, at least for the first year. Spalding uses Nitroflate molecules to seal in the air and to prevent it from leaking out as it does in traditional basketballs. Coming this 2006-2007 season of the NBA, they’ll introduce the new game ball which comprises two cross-shaped interlocking panels rather than the traditional eight-oblong panel found in traditional balls.

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