Prince Launches EXO3 – New Tennis Racquet Line Features Patented Energy BridgeTM

Engineering Breakthrough Suspends the String Bed, Expands the Sweetspot

Prince Sports, Inc. – a leader in sports product innovation – announces the launch of EXO3, its newest high performance tennis racquet line which re-writes the laws of physics to capture more energy – at impact – before it is wasted, and channel it back into the ball on every shot. The result activates a blend of power, spin and comfort with exceptional feel.

The heart of EXO3 technology is a patented, revolutionary engineering feat called the Energy BridgeTM which suspends the string bed, expands the sweet spot and delivers a myriad of playing benefits. In fact, 77% of the strings never come into contact with the frame allowing the strings to move more freely, unlike traditionally constructed racquets which restrict them.

Quick Technical Facts About EXO3
Energy BridgeTM – An exo skeletal structure made from a blend of multiple strands of carbon fiber that creates tennis’ first suspended string bed. The suspended string bed increases the virtual headsize of the racquet and reduces frame vibration.
Energy ChannelTM – A sculpted groove within the frame that enhances the dynamic benefits of the Energy BridgeTM to provide added stability, boost ball control and increase spin.

EXO3 delivers up to 26% more energy back into the ball Sweetspot Up to an 83% larger sweet spot
Spin Up to a 26% increase in spin
Comfort Up to 50% reduction in frame vibration
Control Up to 25% more control

Commenting on the technology, John Embree, President of Prince Sports Americas, said, “One of the beauties of EXO3 is that its core technology delivers benefits that will be appreciated by all levels of frequent players. We have carefully applied this technology to each specific model in the line in order to address all segments of the market. While the game improvement models will continue to delight the millions of players who have looked to Prince innovation over the years to help them play better and have more fun on court, two true player spec models will offer state-of-the-art performance to advanced level competitors and provide us with the ammunition to re-launch our assault on this growing segment of the market.”

“To develop the EXO3 line, we conducted long and extensive research/development trials and elaborate playtest initiatives,” said Tyler Herring, Global Business Director for Performance Racquets at Prince. Commenting on the playtest results Herring said, “What struck us was how consistent the feedback was. Players repeatedly said how much they were ‘feeling’ their shots with EXO3, and how this helped increase their confidence and raise their game. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

“Our ongoing goal at Prince is to build products that help players play better and EXO3 is a bit of sports equipment magic that will help raise their game” added George Napier, Chairman and CEO of Prince Sports, Inc. “I’m not prone to using superlatives but EXO3 takes everything you need in a tennis racquet, to play better, to the next level. The sweet spot is huge (up to 83% bigger than a traditional sweet spot). The feel at impact is soft, but there is plenty of power, making it easy on your arm and hard on your opponent. And the racquet generates extra spin – allowing you to hit through the shot confidently.”

The Racquets:

There will be four models and six frames in Prince’s new EXO3 line to address all levels of competitors, from the frequent player to the advanced competitor. For additional information on the EXO3 line, visit any of the links below:
EXO3 Silver 118
EXO3 Red 105
EXO3 Graphite 100
EXO3 Graphite 93
EXO3 Rebel 95
EXO3 Rebel Team 95

U.S. availability of EXO3 will begin on January 15, 2009 to coincide with the first Grand Slam event of the year – the Australian Open – where fans will see players such as Gael Monfils take to the court using the new technology. To support the introduction of EXO3 Prince has launched a fully integrated advertising, marketing and sales campaign including a dedicated EXO3 website, www.princetennis.com/EXO3 .

About Prince Sports, Inc.

Prince Sports, Inc, based in New Jersey, is a company of racquet sports enthusiasts whose goal is to create cutting edge, functional and technically advanced products that deliver performance benefits for avid players. The Company’s portfolio of brands includes Prince (tennis, squash and badminton), Ektelon (racquetball) and Viking (platform/paddle tennis). The Company has a history of innovation including inventing the first “oversize” and “longbody” racquets, the first “Natural Foot Shape” tennis shoe, the first “synthetic gut” string and the first electronic ball machine. Today, Prince markets leading technologies in racquets (EXO3), string (Recoil), footwear (Precision Tube Technology) and apparel (Aerotech). It has operations on three continents with distribution in over 100 countries. For more information on players, products or programs please visit www.princesports.com.

Contacts

Prince Sports, Inc.
Zachary Perles, 609-817-5755
zperles {at} princesports(.)com