EVST Everlast Worldwide (MM)

Everlast� Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: EVST), manufacturer, marketer and licensor of sporting goods, apparel, footwear, and other active lifestyle products under the Everlast brand name has signed a worldwide license agreement with Spalding� that will allow Everlast rights to incorporate Spalding�s patented INFUSION� Micro Pump� technology into its speed bags and double-end bags used for boxing and fitness training. Spalding introduced INFUSION� basketballs with built-in Micro Pumps in 2001, successfully revolutionizing the entire sporting goods industry. The self-contained air control mechanism allows sports balls to be inflated and deflated at any time without pumps and air needles, so that they are always ready for use. These built-in pumps will be available in Everlast speed bags and double end bags in the second quarter of 2007 at sporting goods stores and online retailers worldwide. These two iconic brands both who are long time leaders of innovation, quality and authenticity in the sporting goods industry have come together to create a fitness product that keeps up with the changing technology of the sports industry and adjusts to the growing needs of the Everlast consumer. Bob Llewellyn, Director of Consumer Marketing of Spalding explains, �Spalding is excited about the inclusion of its INFUSION technology within Everlast's inflated products. We see this as a natural extension of our technology and a perfect fit for Everlast. The built-in Micro Pumps revolutionized the basketball category, and we anticipate a similar reaction within the sport of boxing.� According to Everlast�s Chairman, President and CEO, Seth Horowitz, �We are constantly looking for ways to improve upon the design and utility of our boxing equipment. We believe the addition of Spalding�s INFUSION� Micro Pump� technology is a tremendous innovation for our speed bags and double-end striking bags, and we�re thrilled to be working with the Spalding team to develop a product to reinforce our leadership position in the world of boxing and fitness training and enhance customer and consumer satisfaction.� 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. Committed to product innovation, Spalding introduced INFUSION�, the inflatable technology into its basketballs in 2001. INFUSION was the first ball on the market to feature a self contained air control mechanism. Since its introduction, millions of players across the globe have used INFUSION and are always ready to play. With built-in Micro Pumps, each INFUSION can be inflated or deflated at any time without the need for separate pumps or needles. For more information, visit www.spalding.com. About Everlast Worldwide Inc. Everlast Worldwide Inc. manufactures markets and licenses sporting goods, apparel, footwear and other active lifestyle products under the Everlast brand name. Since 1910, Everlast has been the preeminent brand in the world of boxing and is among the most dominant brands in the overall sporting goods and apparel industries. Over the past 96 years, Everlast products have become the �Choice of Champions��, having been used for training and professional fights by many of the biggest names in the sport. Everlast is the market leader in nearly all of its product categories, responsible for leading eight of the top ten boxing equipment products in sales. In addition to producing and marketing the equipment and accessories, Everlast Worldwide Inc. licenses its brand to providers of men�s and women�s sportswear and active wear, children�s wear, footwear, watches, cardiovascular exercise equipment, nutritional foods and gym/duffel bags to name just a few categories. The company�s Web site can be found at http://www.everlast.com. Statements made in this Press Release that are estimates of past or future performance are based on a number of factors, some of which are outside of the Company's control. Statements made in this Press Release that state the intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions of Everlast Worldwide, Inc. and its management for the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in filings of Everlast Worldwide with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting Everlast Worldwide or the SEC. Everlast(R) Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: EVST), manufacturer, marketer and licensor of sporting goods, apparel, footwear, and other active lifestyle products under the Everlast brand name has signed a worldwide license agreement with Spalding(R) that will allow Everlast rights to incorporate Spalding's patented INFUSION(R) Micro Pump(R) technology into its speed bags and double-end bags used for boxing and fitness training. Spalding introduced INFUSION(R) basketballs with built-in Micro Pumps in 2001, successfully revolutionizing the entire sporting goods industry. The self-contained air control mechanism allows sports balls to be inflated and deflated at any time without pumps and air needles, so that they are always ready for use. These built-in pumps will be available in Everlast speed bags and double end bags in the second quarter of 2007 at sporting goods stores and online retailers worldwide. These two iconic brands both who are long time leaders of innovation, quality and authenticity in the sporting goods industry have come together to create a fitness product that keeps up with the changing technology of the sports industry and adjusts to the growing needs of the Everlast consumer. Bob Llewellyn, Director of Consumer Marketing of Spalding explains, "Spalding is excited about the inclusion of its INFUSION technology within Everlast's inflated products. We see this as a natural extension of our technology and a perfect fit for Everlast. The built-in Micro Pumps revolutionized the basketball category, and we anticipate a similar reaction within the sport of boxing." According to Everlast's Chairman, President and CEO, Seth Horowitz, "We are constantly looking for ways to improve upon the design and utility of our boxing equipment. We believe the addition of Spalding's INFUSION(R) Micro Pump(R) technology is a tremendous innovation for our speed bags and double-end striking bags, and we're thrilled to be working with the Spalding team to develop a product to reinforce our leadership position in the world of boxing and fitness training and enhance customer and consumer satisfaction." 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. Committed to product innovation, Spalding introduced INFUSION(R), the inflatable technology into its basketballs in 2001. INFUSION was the first ball on the market to feature a self contained air control mechanism. Since its introduction, millions of players across the globe have used INFUSION and are always ready to play. With built-in Micro Pumps, each INFUSION can be inflated or deflated at any time without the need for separate pumps or needles. For more information, visit www.spalding.com. About Everlast Worldwide Inc. Everlast Worldwide Inc. manufactures markets and licenses sporting goods, apparel, footwear and other active lifestyle products under the Everlast brand name. Since 1910, Everlast has been the preeminent brand in the world of boxing and is among the most dominant brands in the overall sporting goods and apparel industries. Over the past 96 years, Everlast products have become the "Choice of Champions(TM)", having been used for training and professional fights by many of the biggest names in the sport. Everlast is the market leader in nearly all of its product categories, responsible for leading eight of the top ten boxing equipment products in sales. In addition to producing and marketing the equipment and accessories, Everlast Worldwide Inc. licenses its brand to providers of men's and women's sportswear and active wear, children's wear, footwear, watches, cardiovascular exercise equipment, nutritional foods and gym/duffel bags to name just a few categories. The company's Web site can be found at http://www.everlast.com. Statements made in this Press Release that are estimates of past or future performance are based on a number of factors, some of which are outside of the Company's control. Statements made in this Press Release that state the intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions of Everlast Worldwide, Inc. and its management for the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in filings of Everlast Worldwide with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting Everlast Worldwide or the SEC.