Franklin Sports is a company founded in 1946 by brothers Sydney and Irving Franklin in Brockton, Massachusetts, which specializes in the manufacture of sporting goods. The product range includes equipment for various sports, including baseball, football, basketball and pickleball. Franklin Sports is particularly well known for developing the first baseball batting glove in 1984 in collaboration with Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Today, the company is an official partner of several major sports leagues, including MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS.
Pickleball is conquering international markets as one of the fastest growing games in the world, and Franklin Sports is one of the leading suppliers in this field. At ISPO 2024, Franklin Sports showcased its innovative products, including the iconic X-40 Pickleball, which is used by over 80% of the global market. This ball, made from a proprietary plastic compound in one piece, offers superior flight characteristics and durability. Thanks to its consistent shape and precise bounce characteristics, the X-40 provides an enhanced playing experience and longer, more intense matches. Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, mini tennis and table tennis, is increasingly attracting players worldwide and Franklin's high-quality equipment offers the perfect introduction.
With the Featherweight Carbon Paddle, Franklin Sports presents a high-tech racket product that has been specially developed for demanding players. Made of T-700 carbon fiber and equipped with a unibody construction, the racket impresses with its lightness and enormous hitting power. The innovative design maximizes spin, power and feel for the ball and is used successfully by professional athletes such as Megan Fudge and Paris Todd. These players have won numerous gold medals with the Featherweight racket and underline the performance of the product. With this line, Franklin Sports is positioning itself as a premium supplier that combines functionality, durability and precision.
Franklin Sports sees enormous potential in the global growth of pickleball and is actively involved in promoting the game at a local level. With high-quality products such as the X-40 ball and the Carbon Paddle series, the company is driving the spread of pickleball among both newcomers and professional players. The international markets in particular offer plenty of room for expansion, and Franklin Sports supports this development with affordable prices and products tailored to the needs of different levels of play.
Franklin Sports focuses on innovation and the highest quality with its products in order to offer players an outstanding experience. Whether through the durable construction of the X-40 pickleball or the impressive performance of the carbon rackets - the company combines functionality with cutting-edge technology. With a mission to evolve pickleball as a sport, Franklin Sports is not only creating world-class equipment, but also a platform for the next generation of players.