- 30 basis point decrease in SG&A expense for the fourth quarter

    - 8% decrease in inventory per square foot versus last year

- $115.9 million of cash and short-term investments and no interest-bearing debt

INDIANAPOLIS, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Finish Line, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: FINL) announced results for the fourth quarter representing the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2009 (the "fourth quarter" or "Q4") and the fifty-two week fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 ("Fiscal 2009").

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020603/FINISHLINELOGO )

Glenn S. Lyon, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, "I am pleased to report that, while the quarter remained challenging, we delivered significantly improved fiscal year results despite the difficult operating environment. Excluding impairment and terminated merger costs, our Fiscal 2009 income from continuing operations increased 41% compared to last fiscal year. Also, our gross profit was up 70 basis points for Fiscal 2009. While we still have work to do, these results show that we are taking the right actions to weather the challenges our industry is facing and are better positioning the Company to drive even stronger results as consumers regain their confidence."

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS:

For the fourth quarter, consolidated net sales decreased 4.9% to $364.1 million compared to $382.8 million reported for the thirteen weeks ended March 1, 2008 ("Q4 LY"). Consolidated comparable store net sales decreased 3.9%. By concept, Finish Line comparable store net sales decreased 2.3% and Man Alive comparable store net sales decreased 25.0%.

For Q4, the Company reported a loss from continuing operations of $1.2 million compared to a loss from continuing operations of $39.0 million for Q4 LY. The Company's fourth quarter results include pre-tax non-cash impairment charges of $32.6 million and pre-tax income of $2.1 million relating to the final resolution of transaction expenses associated with the terminated merger. The pre-tax non-cash impairment charges consisted of $12.1 million for goodwill and tradename acquired as part of the Man Alive acquisition in January 2005, $14.4 million for the write-down of 55 underperforming Man Alive stores' assets and $6.1 million for the write-down of 17 underperforming Finish Line stores' assets. Q4 LY results include a charge for expenses incurred in connection with the Genesco settlement and a non-cash impairment charge.

Excluding these items, Q4 income from continuing operations was $19.6 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, as compared to $21.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share for Q4 LY. This represents a $1.7 million decrease in non-GAAP income from continuing operations or 8.0%. A reconciliation of these GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is found in the table at the end of the release.

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 54.0 million for Q4, a 14.3% increase versus 47.3 million for Q4 LY, which reflects the 6.5 million shares issued March 7, 2008 in connection with the previously announced settlement related to the terminated merger.

Merchandise inventories on a consolidated basis were $239.4 million at February 28, 2009 compared to $268.3 million at March 1, 2008. As of February 28, 2009, consolidated inventories decreased 8% on a per square foot basis compared to March 1, 2008. By concept, Finish Line inventories decreased 8% and Man Alive inventories decreased 16% compared to one year ago.

FULL YEAR RESULTS:

For Fiscal 2009, consolidated net sales were $1.262 billion versus $1.277 billion for the fifty-two weeks ended March 1, 2008 ("Fiscal 2008"). Consolidated comparable store net sales decreased 0.4%. By concept, Finish Line comparable store net sales increased 0.3% and Man Alive comparable store net sales decreased 11.7%.

For Fiscal 2009, the Company reported income from continuing operations of $4.0 million as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $48.5 million for Fiscal 2008. The Company's Fiscal 2009 results include non-cash impairment charges along with income relating to the final resolution of transaction expenses associated with the terminated merger, as discussed above. Fiscal 2008 results include a charge for expenses incurred in connection with the Genesco settlement and a non-cash impairment charge.

Excluding these items, Fiscal 2009 income from continuing operations was $24.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, as compared to $17.7 million, or $0.37 per diluted share for Fiscal 2008. This is an increase of $7.2 million or 40.8%. A reconciliation of these GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is found in the table at the end of the release.

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 54.5 million for Fiscal 2009, a 15.4% increase versus 47.2 million for Fiscal 2008, which reflects the 6.5 million shares issued March 7, 2008 in connection with the previously announced settlement.

    CONFERENCE CALL:

The Company is hosting a live conference call at 8:30 am (ET) on Friday, March 27th. Interested parties may participate in the call by calling 1-660-422-4970 (conference leader is Steve Schneider and conference ID# is 89403600). Those interested in listening to the call on the web can do so at www.finishline.com.

Interested parties may access a replay of the live conference call by calling 1-706-645-9291 (Conference ID# 89403600). This replay will be available commencing at approximately 9:45 am (ET) on Friday, March 27th and will remain available through March 30th. In addition, the replay will be available on the web at www.finishline.com.

ANNUAL MEETING DATES:

The Company's Board of Directors has established July 23, 2009 as the 2009 Annual Meeting date and May 22, 2009 as the record date for such Annual Meeting.

The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, significant variability in net sales, net income (loss) and comparable store net sales from quarter to quarter. Therefore, the results of the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other future period or year.

Certain statements contained in this press release regard matters that are not historical facts and are forward looking statements (as such term is defined in the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended). Because such forward looking statements contain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: changing consumer preferences; the Company's inability to successfully market its footwear, apparel, accessories and other merchandise; price, product and other competition from other retailers (including internet and direct manufacturer sales); the unavailability of products; the inability to locate and obtain favorable lease terms for the Company's stores; the loss of key employees; the effect of economic conditions including conditions resulting from the current turmoil in the financial services industry, depressed demand in the housing market and unemployment rates; management of growth, the outcome of litigation, and the other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

The Finish Line, Inc. is one of the largest mall-based specialty retailers operating under the Finish Line and Man Alive brand names. The Finish Line, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FINL. As of March 27th, the Company operates 688 Finish Line stores in 47 states and online and 85 Man Alive stores in 19 states and online. To learn more about these brands, visit www.finishline.com and www.manalive.com.

                                          The Finish Line, Inc.
                                  Consolidated Statements of Operations
                            (In thousands, except per share and store data)

                           Thirteen     Thirteen      Fifty-Two    Fifty-Two
                          Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended
                          February 28,   March 1,    February 28,   March 1,
                             2009         2008          2009         2008
                          ------------  ----------   -----------  -----------
                          (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)

    Net sales               $364,148     $382,753    $1,262,263   $1,277,162
    Cost of sales
     (including
     occupancy costs)        248,617      259,563       886,309      905,726
                             -------      -------       -------      -------
    Gross profit             115,531      123,190       375,954      371,436

    Selling, general and
     administrative
     expenses                 83,451       88,862       335,160      342,234
    Terminated
     merger-related
     (income)
     costs, net               (2,075)      81,471        (1,969)      91,354
    Impairment charge         32,588        5,661        32,588        5,661
                              ------        -----        ------        -----
    Operating
     income (loss)             1,567      (52,804)       10,175      (67,813)

    Interest income, net         128          457           821        1,380
                                 ---          ---           ---        -----
    Income (loss) from
     continuing
     operations before
     income taxes              1,695      (52,347)       10,996      (66,433)

    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                 2,900      (13,305)        6,959      (17,931)
                               -----      -------         -----      -------
    (Loss) income from
     continuing operations    (1,205)     (39,042)        4,037      (48,502)

    Loss from discontinued
     operations, net of
     income tax benefit         (156)        (147)         (279)     (12,310)
                                ----         ----          ----      -------
    Net (loss) income        $(1,361)    $(39,189)       $3,758     $(60,812)
                             =======     ========        ======     ========

      (Loss) income per
       diluted share:
        (Loss) income
         from continuing
         operations           $(0.03)      $(0.83)        $0.07       $(1.03)
        Loss from
         discontinued
         operations                -            -             -        (0.26)
                               -----        -----         -----        -----
        Net (loss)
         income               $(0.03)      $(0.83)        $0.07       $(1.29)
                              ======       ======         =====       ======

    Diluted weighted
     average shares
     outstanding              54,026       47,251        54,487       47,196
                              ======       ======        ======       ======

    Dividends declared
     per share                $0.030           $-        $0.090       $0.025
                              ======           ==        ======       ======

    Number of stores open
     at end of period:
          Finish Line                                       689          697
          Man Alive                                          85           94
                                                             --           --
             Total                                          774          791
                                                            ===          ===




                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet


                                                 February 28, March 1,
                                                     2009      2008
                                                     ----      ----
                                                  (Unaudited)
      ASSETS
      ------
    Cash, cash equivalents and
     short-term investments                        $115,875  $72,901
    Merchandise inventories, net                    239,409  268,333
    Other current assets                             31,791   40,573
    Property and equipment, net                     173,119  217,834
    Other assets                                     38,539   43,406
                                                     ------   ------
    Total assets                                   $598,733 $643,047
                                                   ======== ========


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    ------------------------------------
    Current liabilities                            $107,838  $99,931
    Terminated merger-
     related liabilities                                  -   47,129
    Deferred credits
     from landlords                                  51,939   59,642
    Other long-term liabilities                      14,562   15,479
    Shareholders' equity                            424,394  420,866
                                                    -------  -------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity                          $598,733 $643,047
                                                   ======== ========



    The Finish Line, Inc.
    SEC REGULATION G


    RECONCILIATION OF (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     ON A GAAP BASIS TO INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS ON A
     NON-GAAP BASIS (IN THOUSANDS)

                          Thirteen      Thirteen     Fifty-Two     Fifty-Two
                        Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended
                        February 28,    March 1,    February 28,    March 1,
                            2009          2008          2009          2008
                       -------------   ---------   -------------   ---------

    (Loss) income from
     continuing
     operations on a
     GAAP basis           $(1,205)     $(39,042)       $4,037      $(48,502)

    (Subtract) Add:
     Terminated merger-
     related (income)
     costs, net            (1,245)       56,882        (1,181)       62,728

    Add: Impairment
     charges               22,053         3,467        22,053         3,467
                          -------       -------       -------       -------
    Income from
     continuing
     operations on a
     non-GAAP basis (a)   $19,603       $21,307       $24,909       $17,693
                          =======       =======       =======       =======



    RECONCILIATION OF (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     PER DILUTED SHARE ON A GAAP BASIS TO INCOME FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER DILUTED SHARE ON A
     NON-GAAP BASIS

                          Thirteen      Thirteen     Fifty-Two     Fifty-Two
                        Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended   Weeks Ended
                        February 28,    March 1,    February 28,    March 1,
                            2009          2008          2009          2008
                       -------------   ---------   -------------   ---------

    (Loss) income from
     continuing operations
     per diluted share
     on a GAAP Basis      $(0.03)       $(0.83)        $0.07        $(1.03)

    (Subtract) Add:
     Terminated merger-
     related (income)
     costs, net            (0.02)         1.21         (0.02)         1.33

    Add: Impairment
     charges                0.41          0.07          0.41          0.07
                           -----         -----         -----         -----
    Income from continuing
     operations per diluted
     share on a
     non-GAAP basis (a)    $0.36         $0.45          $0.46        $0.37
                           =====         =====          =====        =====

    (a)  Income from continuing operations and income from continuing
    operations per diluted share excluding the amounts noted above are
    non-GAAP financial measures.  The Company believes this information
    provides additional measures of performance that the Company's
    management, analysts and investors can use to compare core, operating
    results between reporting periods.




    CONTACTS:
     Investor Relations Contact:
       Steven J. Schneider (317) 899-1022 ext. 6528
       President, Chief Operating Officer & Interim CFO

     Media Requests Contact:
       Elise Hasbrook, (317) 899-1022 ext. 6827
       Corporate Communications Manager

SOURCE The Finish Line, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor Relations: Steven J. Schneider, President, Chief Operating Officer & Interim CFO, +1-317-899-1022 ext. 6528, Media Requests: Elise Hasbrook, Corporate Communications Manager, +1-317-899-1022 ext. 6827