When you hear the name Franklin Sports, baseball might be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, they’ve dominated that space for years with iconic products like their batting gloves used by MLB players.

But they've made a name for themselves in pickleball, with a range of popular paddles and a carefully curated roster of sponsored athletes.

At the heart of this third generation family-run company is not just a focus on innovation, but a deep-rooted commitment to community, family, and providing sports equipment for every athlete—from the backyard to the big leagues.

Terry Bradshaw decked out in Franklin 

From Joe Namath to The Johnsons

Franklin Sports' beginnings trace back to 1946 when brothers Irving and Sydney Franklin co-founded the company as a regional sporting goods brand.

The turning point came when Irving began centering an entire product line around a single athlete—Joe Namath. That shrewd business move that would become part of the company’s operating book moving forward.

An innovative marketing idea at the time, it set Franklin apart and was just the beginning of their strong affiliations with world-class athletes, including Sugar Ray Leonard, David Robinson, Dan Marino, and Barry Bonds.

Franklin didn't just ride the wave of athlete endorsements—they helped shape the game itself.

The company’s most famous innovation came in the form of the batting glove, an idea born from a collaboration between Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt and Irving Franklin.

Together, they revolutionized the baseball world in the early 1980s with a glove designed specifically for hitters—a concept that hadn’t existed before.

The glove not only became a staple in Major League Baseball, but cemented Franklin Sports as the industry leader.

Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports and grandson of Irving, carries that same attitude into the company’s approach today. But it’s no longer just about baseball.

In 2017, Franklin made a bold decision to dive headfirst into the emerging world of pickleball.

"We saw the potential," says Adam. "Pickleball was growing fast, and we wanted to be a part of that. People thought we were crazy for putting so many resources into it, but we knew the upside."

Betting Big on Pickleball

The decision to invest heavily in pickleball wasn’t an overnight move, nor was it a trend-chasing gamble.

Franklin Sports is no stranger to long-term strategy, having spent decades developing its iconic batting gloves, and they took a similarly meticulous approach to pickleball.

"People thought we were crazy for putting so many resources into it, but we knew the upside." - Adam Franklin

After initial research and a grassroots understanding of the game, Franklin introduced their first ball, sold through Walmart.

When the product didn’t perform as expected, Franklin Sports did something few companies of its size do: they pulled it from the shelves, reworked it, and spent two years on research and development.

The result was the X-40 pickleball, a product that struck a balance between different types of ball constructions, appealing to pros and amateurs alike.

Franklin’s pickleball gear is now found everywhere—from local rec centers to the biggest tournaments—and that’s no accident.

Franklin has built strategic partnerships with professional pickleball players, but Adam Franklin emphasizes that these relationships are deliberate and meaningful.

“We don’t just keep adding players to build a portfolio. Every single person on our roster is there for a reason,” he says.

Franklin saw a match with the Johnson Family: Julie and her kids, pro players JW & Jorja.

“Family business has always been part of who we are as Johnsons. From running Jack’s veterinary clinic for 37 years to working with our kids in this great sport of pickleball, partnering with the Franklin Family was a meaningful fit for us," Julie Johnson says.

The Johnson family: JW, Jorja, & their mother Julie

Megan Fudge, a more recent addition to the roster, echoes the importance of family in her decision to join Franklin's roster.

”I’ve long admired Franklin’s leadership role in pickleball, from supporting grassroots to the top pros. The impact they have globally was a huge reason we wanted to be part of their mission. Our family is honored to be part of the Franklin Family," Megan says.

By next year, pickleball is set to become Franklin’s second-largest sport, trailing only baseball. That’s a remarkable achievement for an 80-year-old company with thousands of product offerings across a wide range of sports.

"We know our paddles could retail significantly higher, but that’s not who we are," Adam Franklin says.

"We stand for providing the best quality at the best price, and we’ll always pursue value."

Family at the Core

Franklin Sports is, at its heart, a family company—and that ethos permeates everything they do.

"We like to say we're bucking the trend," Adam notes, referring to the common saying that the third generation usually struggles to maintain a family business. “Family is built into our culture, and it’s an important part of everything we do.”

Franklin’s family-first approach extends beyond the boardroom to the athletes they support.

 
Pro Pickleball Athlete’s Megan Fudge, Ryler DeHeart and their two kids Lily & JR

Look no further than the Johnson family, one of the most recognized names in pickleball, who have partnered with Franklin to grow the sport together. 

But Franklin’s commitment to family goes deeper than player partnerships. They’re not in the game for short-term profits. “We’re not out for the quick buck,” Adam says.

“We plan to make this a fifth, sixth, and seventh-generation business. We know exactly what we need to do to stay true to who we are, and that’ll keep us in business.”

Adam offers a simple but powerful piece of advice to future leaders, whether in the Franklin family or elsewhere: “Stay true to your roots. Don’t worry about competitors—know who you are, what you do best, and attack that every day.”

Get to know more about Franklin here.

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