The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is permanently benching leather basketballs in favor of cruelty-free synthetic balls, beginning with March Madness 2003 in New Orleans!

Although basketball may be a game to us, it’s no fun for cows whose skins are used to make basketballs. It takes an entire cow to make just four leather basketballs. Overseas, where much of the leather used in the U.S. is produced, cows are marched to slaughter for days without food or water, causing many to collapse en route; crowded onto transport trucks where they frequently break bones, suffocate, or gouge each other with their horns; and often dismembered and skinned while still alive. In this country, pigs and cattle are often inadequately stunned so that they are still conscious when their hooves are severed.

On November 16, 2001, PETA sent the NCAA information on the horrors of the leather industry. After discussing PETA’s position, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship and Rules committees unanimously supported the change to a synthetic ball. The change was announced on May 7, 2002.

Now, we expect the National Basketball Association (NBA) to pass on leather as well. PETA has asked NBA Commissioner David Stern to slam-dunk the NBA’s leather Official Game Ball into the hoops of history in favor of a synthetic ball.

You can help.

Contact: David Stern, Commissioner National Basketball Association Olympic Tower 645 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10022 Tel.: 212-407-8000

It’s easy to moo-ve away from leather. In fact, Spalding Sports carries synthetic basketballs, as well as volleyballs, softballs, soccerballs, and footballs. Contact PETA or visit CowsAreCool.com for more information.