Paddletek on Tuesday announced a major acquisition of paddle brand PIKKL, as well as the signing of pro players JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Julie Johnson and Tyra Black.

It’s the second time in the past 8 months that Paddletek has brought another paddle brand under the Paddletek Group umbrella — in December they acquired ProXR and Yobow, which makes gear designed to help athletes with muscle activation and recovery.

The Kitchen Pickleball Discounts.

JW and Jorja Johnson have used several different paddle models in 2026 after their longtime contract with Franklin expired earlier this year, including JOOLA, Selkirk, Paddletek and PIKKL. In the past month or two the siblings have been using PIKKL paddles consistently. Tyra Black has been a longtime PIKKL player and uses her signature Hurricane Pro paddle.

“We were looking for teammates who share our passion for the sport. The Johnsons were on a monthslong journey looking for the paddle and the brand that would help them win,” said Ron Saslow, Founder and Managing Partner of Thirty-5 Capital, which manages the Paddletek Group. “The two paths came together, and we didn’t hesitate at the opportunity to put together one of the most talented groups in pickleball.”

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PIKKL was founded in Minnesota in 2023 by Dan Martinson and Mike Strommen, who said they were excited to work with Paddletek to continue to innovate and push the performance of pickleball paddles forward.

“What Dan and I started years ago has grown into something far bigger than we imagined,” said Strommen. “Joining Paddletek gives us the opportunity to bring our expertise and passion to a group that shares our commitment to growing the sport, pushing performance forward and supporting our athletes.”

JW Johnson said the months of paddle testing was important to help him make a decision that put performance first.

“This was never about logos or contracts,” he said. “I’ve tested every paddle, and this opportunity gives us access to incredible technology while becoming part of a brand focused on winning.”

Added Jorja Johnson: “The people, the culture, the innovation and the commitment to excellence all aligned with our family values. It’s the right place for the next chapter of our careers.”

The Paddletek roster of players now includes the Johnsons, Black, Christian Alshon, Riley Newman, Connor Garnett, Zane Navratil, Max Freeman, Andrea Koop and others.

Read next: Find our full review of the Paddletek Honeyfoam here.