I would think that Most buy at least a couple each year.

 

Most do.

A lot depends on the specifics of the contract. Regardless, the KHSAA will receives a very (VERY) large sum of money for signing with Spalding. The money side of the contract is usually paid in annual stipends. The money will be paid annually for the length of the contract. (Usually 3-5 years) Also ball companies typically supply cloth items for state tournaments. (T-Shirts, polos, coaching shirts, etc.)

 

Spalding also has a special program where state associations get a rebate when "Spalding Equipment" is purchased through their program.

 

If the details of this contract were known, people would be floored by how much the KHSAA makes off this contract.

Wonder it Old Tackett got his meal at Patties paid for this weekend by Spaulding? They can take the money for the balls out of the gate at the tournaments but that still takes away from the schools getting that money back to them. How much did the KHSAA get kicked back?

A lot depends on the specifics of the contract. Regardless, the KHSAA will receives a very (VERY) large sum of money for signing with Spalding. The money side of the contract is usually paid in annual stipends. The money will be paid annually for the length of the contract. (Usually 3-5 years) Also ball companies typically supply cloth items for state tournaments. (T-Shirts, polos, coaching shirts, etc.)

 

Spalding also has a special program where state associations get a rebate when "Spalding Equipment" is purchased through their program.

 

If the details of this contract were known, people would be floored by how much the KHSAA makes off this contract.

 

I doubt many would be surprised. We figure it's all about the money (large sums of it).

For everyone who is upset about switching balls, wouldn't have there been some sort of the same deal in place with Rawlings in previous years?? Where was the outrage for whatever Rawlings deal was last year?? The KHSAA certainly isn't alone, as I would imagine all the state sports governing bodies have similar deals in place. There are expenses that KHSAA has, and why do people think it's so wrong for the KHSAA to take the best deal they can get, much like any other business?? No don't see this as being any different or worse than any other sponsorship deal other organizations have in place.

Wonder it Old Tackett got his meal at Patties paid for this weekend by Spaulding? They can take the money for the balls out of the gate at the tournaments but that still takes away from the schools getting that money back to them. How much did the KHSAA get kicked back?

 

Don't teams need to buy balls regardless of who the sponsor is?? Whether you buy them from Spaulding, Rawlings, or whoever, you gotta have basketballs to play, and none that I know of come for free.

This to me is a non-issue. Most schools replace or buy a couple new balls anyway, and if they don't want to or can't buy new balls they don't have to. You can use any ball you want during the regular season, only a district or regional hosting team would have to purchase the new balls from Spalding. Having held and used the Rawlings, spalding, Adidas, and Rock basketballs used by different schools, I don't see there being a big difference in feel and such. It's round, dribbles, and will go through the goal all the same.

For everyone who is upset about switching balls, wouldn't have there been some sort of the same deal in place with Rawlings in previous years?? Where was the outrage for whatever Rawlings deal was last year?? The KHSAA certainly isn't alone, as I would imagine all the state sports governing bodies have similar deals in place. There are expenses that KHSAA has, and why do people think it's so wrong for the KHSAA to take the best deal they can get, much like any other business?? No don't see this as being any different or worse than any other sponsorship deal other organizations have in place.

 

When it switched to Rawlings some of the same things were said.

When it switched to Rawlings some of the same things were said.

 

Ok...I don't know when that switch was made and probably wasn't on this site when it happened. I just don't see why it's a big deal or why so many get upset, that ball sponsorship is a revenue stream for the KHSAA, especially when we demand so much from them. And I don't get why people feel that schools are getting screwed, since buying balls is a cost of fielding a team, regardless of who the official supplier is.

For me its not really a big deal it just the principle of it. The KHSAA will get something of it but schools wont. They made no effort to inform schools that they may be switching. I would say the balls are around $50 each. What if your school just purchased 12 or 15 new ones? A lot of coaches will not want to use a different brand than switch to Spaulding during post season. In the grand scheme of things its not, but athletic budgets are being cut and teams are forced to fundraise for everything. Another $500 out of your account starts adding up

For me its not really a big deal it just the principle of it. The KHSAA will get something of it but schools wont. They made no effort to inform schools that they may be switching. I would say the balls are around $50 each. What if your school just purchased 12 or 15 new ones? A lot of coaches will not want to use a different brand than switch to Spaulding during post season. In the grand scheme of things its not, but athletic budgets are being cut and teams are forced to fundraise for everything. Another $500 out of your account starts adding up

 

my main problem with it as well:thumb:

For me its not really a big deal it just the principle of it. The KHSAA will get something of it but schools wont. They made no effort to inform schools that they may be switching. I would say the balls are around $50 each. What if your school just purchased 12 or 15 new ones? A lot of coaches will not want to use a different brand than switch to Spaulding during post season. In the grand scheme of things its not, but athletic budgets are being cut and teams are forced to fundraise for everything. Another $500 out of your account starts adding up

 

Great summary.

Seems like a lot of moaning over something as little as new basketballs. If I'm the coach, I just suck it up and purchase as many basketballs as I could afford. There are plenty of events that offer travel stipends. Go to one and buy some more basketballs. Run camps, do a car wash, host a golf outing. As a coach, you find a way.

 

I will say this though. There is a tremendous difference in the feel of a Spalding Classic and the Rawlings ball. It's not as padded and feels heavier in the hands. I even think it feels smaller.