Franklin Sports, founded in 1946, entered the pickleball market in 2016 after Larry Franklin, the then-president, chatted with a friend about the popularity of the sport. Within weeks of that conversation, a retail partner asked Franklin to provide pickleball products. This propelled Franklin into the pickleball space.

Franklin has partnered with Aspen Kern (pictured), who in 2020 become the face of the sport given his extensive experience and success with pickleball. In 2019, he saw action in 23 events and earned 19 medals, 14 of which were gold.

Franklin is the exclusive ball provider for USA Pickleball’s National tournament and National Championship Series, as well as sponsor on the PPA tour and English Open.