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"We're seeing more pickleball now in high schools and rec centers,and we're selling more pickleball nets all the time." e company is also doing a brisk business with leagues and teams that want customized products such as imprinted nets, divider curtains for courts and even headbands. Jeff Roth, co-founder of First Team Sports in Hutchinson, KS, a maker of residential and institutional sports equipment, is also eager for pickleball to stake a claim in the team business. "Right now, the majority of our pickleball sales have gone through court construction companies, dealers that sell tennis equipment and online retailers. "Are the traditional team dealers recogniz- ing this opportunity? Pickleball is booming," he says. "Dealers should be taking steps to get involved and not sit on the sidelines. A lot of new [court] construction is going on, and dealers can be a part of the business." Dealers Get in the Game Admittedly, for some team dealers, pickle- ball is a non-starter. "We don't carry pickleball and have no plans to add it. It's just not in our world," says one dealer who prefers to remain anonymous. But for many others, the sport is opening up new opportunities and revenue streams which will no doubt expand over time. "We're selling a good amount of pickleball equipment and we have to restock about once a month," reports Kim Karsh, owner of California Pro Sports in Harbor City, CA. "We're seeing some growth in the pickleball category, particularly within the past year to year-and-a half, mostly for recreational adult leagues. It's a slow increase, but it's definitely making progress. ere's very little school business so far." e products most in demand are hard- goods such as nets, balls, paddles and accessories, as well as sets comprised of two balls and two paddles. "Pickleball is definitely growing and is coming in waves for us," says Karsh. "It's not a big part of our business, but it's something we'll stick with." Likewise, Garretson's Sport Center in Greeley, CO, has been involved in pickleball for the past seven or eight years and currently carries 15 paddle models as well as balls and nets. "We don't have a lot of calls from schools yet, but I think it'll gradually come along, especially high schools," notes co-owner Zeke Garretson. "Pickleball would be great for PE programs and intramurals." e company currently does some league business, which is growing, and rec and club programs are also gaining popularity thanks to more court availability. "We're not sure how pickleball will incorporate itself into the team sports business, but we do anticipate growth," says Garretson. In Idaho, Twin Falls-based Donnelley Sports sells a small amount of pickleball. "We've sold paddles, nets and balls for decades to PE classes and the sport is growing for sure," says Pat Donnelley, president and co-owner. "We sell almost exclusively to schools." Of course, it also helps team dealers when their local communities have top-notch pick- leball facilities and programs already in place. Such is the case for Cook's Inc., situated in North Wilkesboro, NC. "e local government built eight pickleball courts in Cub Creek Park about two years ago and it's become a hot sport in our area," explains Phillip Greene, who handles inside team sales at Cook's. "We've been in the team pickleball market for about two-and-a-half years and we're seeing kids of all ages play, including middle school and high school kids." He also points out that Cook's is involved in local pickleball tournaments and helps promote the sport with T-shirts and other grassroots initiatives. Greene notes that Cook's entered the team pickleball category by selling portable nets for use on basketball courts and has since added men's and women's pickleball shoes, paddles, balls and accessories. "We work with schools and more of them are asking for temporary net systems for indoor play," he says. "Pickleball is an old sport that was mostly played by seniors, but it's had a rebirth in the past couple of years. It's a great game for all ages. e team business will happen eventu- ally and the way that pickleball is growing, we'll soon see high school pickleball," Greene predicts. "Pickleball is a growing sport and the sky's the limit right now." n "The expansion is mostly due to a combination of growth in schools as well as the increasing popularity of youth programs and adult rec leagues." Sonny Tannan, a PPR clinician and certified professional. Photo: iStock 52 • September/October 2022 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com

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