13,000 Spalding Basketball Goals Recalled Over Injury Hazards; Is Yours Included?

Spalding basketball goals are being recalled over an issue that may pose injury risks. More than 13,000 units are affected.

The recall affects Spalding Momentous EZ Assembly Portable Basketball Goals with the 50- or 54-inch clear acrylic backboards, according to the recall announcement on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.

The problem lies with the welding on the arm that attaches the backboard to the pole.

"We recently learned that welds in the arm attaching the backboard to the pole can fail and cause the backboard to fall, posing an impact injury hazard to consumers," the company, Russel Brands, said in its notice. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our consumers."

As of the announcement, there have been 26 reports of "weld failures," in three instances of which the backboards ended up separating from the pole, according to the CPSC. Injuries have also been reported, with one customer being hit with the backboard on the shoulder/upper torso, and another being hit on the head.

As such, those who have an affected basketball goal are advised to "immediately stop" using them. Instead, they should contact the company to have a technician install a new boom arm to the unit.

Each recalled product has a backboard attached to a black metal pole with a black metal arm. Depending on the unit, it could have either a visible "H-frame" behind the backboard or an aluminum trim without an H-frame, according to the CPSC.

"To identify if you have a Momentous EZ Assembly Portable Basketball Hoop, 'Spalding' is printed on the front of the black base, and '6E' is molded on the back," the company noted. "The numbers 1010, 1011 or 1012 are printed to the right of the CAUTION statement on the front of the backboard."

The company has provided photos to help guide customers on where to find these important details. Those who find that they have an affected unit may contact the company at 1-800-558-5234 or click here to request a repair, although the company is also contacting those who bought the affected products.

In total, some 13,400 units of the product are being recalled. They were sold at Academy and Scheels stores nationwide, as well as online via Spalding.com or Amazon. Some 62 units were also sold in Canada.