A series of nickel complexes, bis(salicylideneiminato)nickel(II), were supported on spherical MgCl2 and SiO2. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersed X-ray spectroscopy, and the BET method for surface areas measurements were utilized to examine the supporting process of the catalysts. The particle morphology of the original support is retained and replicated throughout the supported catalyst preparation and norbornene polymerization. Spherical polymer particle morphology was achieved, without reactor fouling. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.