Easton-Bell Sports Appoints Chris Zimmerman  President of Easton Sports

Zimmerman’s Broad Marketing Expertise To Drive Easton Sports’ Growth Opportunities

Van Nuys, CA. (March 2, 2010) – Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. – a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Riddell and Giro brands  –  today announced that Chris Zimmerman has been hired as President of Easton Sports, effective immediately.  Reporting to Paul Harrington, President and CEO of Easton-Bell Sports, Zimmerman will lead a unified Easton Sports brand banner that will include hockey, baseball/softball and its new lacrosse offering.

“We’re fortunate to have this depth of expertise on board to lead Easton Sports.  Chris brings a results-driven approach and a track record of creative and effective marketing on both the equipment and franchise sides of sport,” said Paul Harrington, President and CEO of Easton-Bell Sports.  “With his experience, Easton Sports will now have a level of world-class marketing acumen in line with our legacy of product superiority.”

Zimmerman will be charged with expanding Easton’s footprint through integrated product and marketing programs driven by consumer insights and designed to improve the brand’s performance for retail partners and customers worldwide.  This consumer- driven approach will position Easton to aggressively compete with the sporting goods equipment industry’s leading brands.

Easton is a market leader in many of its categories through product innovation and unmatched quality and performance.  Its Easton baseball equipment is one of the most dominant brands from Little League® to elite college programs while Easton hockey has steadily expanded from a leadership position in sticks to other categories with exciting products such as the new S19 Z-ShockTM hockey helmet recently launched at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.  In January, the Company announced the acquisition of Talon Lacrosse as part of its entry strategy for the Easton brand into one of America’s fastest growing team sports.

“Easton has a long history of creating game-changing equipment that helps athletes perform better,” said Zimmerman.  “I’m looking forward to building on this great innovation heritage and helping deepen the Easton brand’s connection with athletes around the world.”

Zimmerman has a well-established reputation as one of sports’ leading marketers. He began his career at Saatchi and Saatchi, where he spent 12 years, eventually serving as a member of the New York office’s Operating Board.  During his tenure, Zimmerman developed successful marketing campaigns for some of the world’s best known consumer brands like Proctor & Gamble, Wendy’s and Champion sportswear.

In 1995, Zimmerman was recruited to join Nike’s North American Advertising group and received several industry awards, including Adweek’s 1998 Best Campaign for Nike’s “What are you getting ready for?” campaign.  In 1999, he was tapped to lead Nike’s U.S. Golf Division, recording significant growth over the next three years while the brand became a major challenger in every key golf category.

In 2003, Zimmerman was asked to take over Nike’s struggling hockey business and revitalize the Bauer hockey brand.  Over the next three years, the Nike Bauer brand grew 45 percent in a flat market, improved profitability and regained its leadership position in the marketplace.  Most recently, Zimmerman had a successful tenure as President and CEO of the Vancouver Canucks and Canucks Sports & Entertainment, where he significantly grew the brand and business making it a leading NHL franchise.

Zimmerman will operate out of Easton-Bell Sports corporate headquarters in Van Nuys, CA.  In the coming months, he, his wife Emily and children Katie and Ted will relocate to the Los Angeles area.

About Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.

Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment, protective products and related accessories.  The Company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Riddell and Giro. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, California, Easton-Bell Sports has 29 facilities worldwide. More information is available at www.eastonbellsports.com.

To receive more information or schedule an interview, please contact Brian Baker, MS&L Group, at 415-293-2363 or via e-mail at brian.baker@mslworldwide.com.

# # #