"THE DUKE" RETURNS TO THE GRIDIRON
IN HONOR OF PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER WELLINGTON MARA

CHICAGO, IL- March 28, 2006 - Wilson Sporting Goods and the NFL have announced the return of "The Duke", the first re-branding of the league's official football since 1969. Effective May 1, 2006, the "Official NFL Game Ball" will become "The Duke" in honor of football legend Wellington "Duke" Mara. Mara, who passed away last October at the age of 89, dedicated 81 years to the New York Giants as an administrator, owner and unwavering booster.

In 1940, heeding the advice of influential team owners Tim Mara of the New York Giants and George Halas of the Chicago Bears, the NFL selected Wilson as the league's official football supplier. The following year, Wilson introduced a redesigned football and named it "The Duke" in honor of Mara's son, Wellington. The Duke stayed in play for nearly three decades until the NFL and AFL merged in 1969.