Today, we take a closer look at Franklin Pickleball, a dynamic part of the well-known Franklin Sports brand. With their expertise and passion in the sporting goods industry, Franklin Sports has seamlessly entered the fast-growing world of pickleball.
From sponsoring top-ranked players to introducing innovative equipment, Franklin Pickleball is reshaping how we play and enjoy this beloved sport. Join us as we explore the journey, products, and community impact of Franklin Pickleball and discover why they are quickly becoming a favorite among pickleball enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Let’s get started.
Who Is Franklin Pickleball?
Franklin Sports made a significant foray into pickleball recognizing the sport’s rapid growth and potential. They were one of the first high-profile sports brands to invest heavily in pickleball, sponsoring top players like Ben Johns at major events such as the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. The company’s focus on pickleball stems from its belief in the sport’s infancy and the opportunities it presents, with its products now available in over 30,000 retail locations worldwide.
Pickleball’s accessibility and competitive nature, appealing to a broad range of players, contributed to its status as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, a factor that likely influenced Franklin Sports’ decision to engage with the sport. Their active role in pickleball includes not just sponsorships of top players but also working closely with them to develop new equipment and incorporate their feedback into product designs.
To further cement their commitment, they also introduced the X-40 Outdoor Pickleball, the official ball of the 2021 Pickleball U.S. Open Championships, noted for its durability and playability.
As an official partner of the Professional Pickleball Association, Franklin Sports aims to bring the game of pickleball to a wider and more diverse audience, aligning with the PPA’s goal to showcase the best of the sport. During the pandemic, when many sports businesses struggled, Franklin’s pickleball line saw a significant spike in demand, indicating the sport’s growing popularity and resilience even in challenging times.
Looking to the future, Franklin Sports Pickleball remains fully committed to pickleball, with plans for new partnerships and product lines, including pickleball apparel and a unique line of pickleball footwear. This strategic involvement in pickleball showcases Franklin and franklin Sports pickleball’ adaptability and foresight in embracing emerging sports trends.
Who is Franklin Sports?
Founded in 1946 by brothers Irving H. and Sydney Franklin, Franklin Sports has transformed from a regional sporting goods brand to an iconic name in the sports industry. With a focus on quality and innovation, they revolutionized sports marketing by centering their product line around legendary athletes like Joe Namath, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Dan Marino. A defining moment came when they collaborated with Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to create a batting glove that became the standard for major league hitters. Today, Franklin Sports continues to excel through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to athletes’ evolving needs.
What Franklin Pickleball Offers
Franklin Pickleball offers a range of products designed for players of all levels. Their offerings include:
- Pickleballs: They provide various types of pickleballs, such as the X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs, X-26 Indoor Pickleballs and Glow-In-the-Dark Pickleballs.
- Paddles: Franklin paddles are USA Pickleball approved and known for their superior craftsmanship and innovative designs, offering players of all skill levels a perfect blend of power, control, and durability on the court.
- Bags and Backpacks:Franklin Pickleball bags and backpacks are designed for optimal functionality and style, providing pickleball enthusiasts with spacious, durable, and organized solutions for carrying their gear.
- Pickleball Net: The Franklin Pickleball net is a highly durable and portable solution, designed to set up quickly and easily, making it ideal for both competitive play and casual games in a variety of settings
- Apparel: Franklin Pickleball apparel combines comfort, style, and performance, offering players a range of clothing options that are both fashionable and functional on the pickleball court.
What Are The Best Franklin Pickleball Paddles?
Franklin has a nice selection of pickleball paddles. Here is our list of some of the best Franklin Pickleball Paddles:
Best Franklin Paddle for Beginners:
Franklin X-1000 Pickleball Paddle
The Franklin X-1000 Pickleball Paddle is a top-quality choice for beginners that won’t break the bank. It has a wide (8.25″) composite fiberglass face, which increases the hittable surface area and widens the sweet spot, making it perfect for when you are blocking at the kitchen line.
With a sturdy 13mm polymer honeycomb core and responsive fiberglass panels on both sides, this paddle gives you versatility and value. It’s a midweight paddle that weighs between 7.7 – 8.2 oz. that gives you good weight and power.
The handle is 5″ in long and has a medium circumference of 4.25″ so it is a really nice comfortable grip. The X-1000 is USA Pickleball approved, making it suitable for both recreational play and officially sanctioned tournaments.
Best Franklin Paddle For Intermediate
Franklin Christine McGrath Pickleball Paddle
The Franklin Christine McGrath Signature Pickleball Paddle is a high performance USA pickleball approved paddle. One of its notable characteristics is the MaxGrit surface which provides great spin to you shots when needed. This medium-weight paddle is good for both dinking and powerful drives. The 8″ wide face has an oversized sweet spot, which also helps to reduce vibration. Its design and features cater perfectly to players looking to merge their mental game with tangible techniques, offering an intuitive feel. Best Franklin Pickleball Paddle for Advanced Players.
Franklin Signature Carbon STK Paddle
The Signature Carbon STK Paddle stands at the top of the Franklin pickleball paddles line-up. The paddle uses a Toray T700 Carbon Fiber surface so you get great control and power. The paddle has an elongated shape for great reach and power on your ground strokes.
Franklin offers the Signature Carbon STK Paddle in two thicknesses, 14.5mm for more power and 17mm for more control. Whether it’s the power from the 14.5mm or the control from the 17mm, the 16.5″ by 7.5″ dimensions ensure accurate shot execution. The 5.6″ elongated handle with a cushioned grip adds to the reachability and is a really nice grip for two handed backhands.
The Franklin Pickleball Difference
Franklin Sports Pickleball sets itself apart in the competitive world of sports equipment through its commitment to quality, innovation, and understanding the needs of players. Franklin’s dedication to using cutting-edge technology and materials ensures that its products provide the performance players demand on the court.
Franklin Pickleball maintains a unique position due to its rich sporting heritage and collaborations with professional players. This allows them to add a professional standard of craftsmanship into each product, offering an edge to players at every level. Ultimately, the Franklin Pickleball difference lies in their passion for the sport, their pursuit of innovation, and their dedication to elevating the game for all pickleball enthusiasts.
Innovation and Quality
Franklin Pickleball is known for their innovative and high-quality products. They carefully craft each piece of equipment, incorporating advanced technology and using top-grade materials. Their dedication to pushing design boundaries optimizes player performance, comfort, and durability. For example, their MaxGrit technology enhances ball control and spin in several paddle models. The use of robust polymer honeycomb cores across their paddle range ensures unmatched durability and responsiveness. Additionally, their pickleball paddles also offer varying thickness options to cater to different gameplay styles, showing their understanding of diverse player needs. This commitment to innovation and quality has made Franklin Pickleball a trusted brand in the pickleball equipment market, favored by amateurs and professionals alike for superior performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Franklin Pickleball is a brand that lives up to its reputation for quality, innovation, and performance. Their range of pickleball paddles provides options for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Each paddle is crafted with great attention to detail and features cutting-edge technology that caters to diverse gameplay styles, skill levels, and comfort needs.
Their commitment to using high-grade materials and implementing advanced design techniques is shown in the durability, responsiveness, and superior performance of their products. Their dedication to the sport, constant pursuit of innovation, and unmatched attention to quality make them a true leader in pickleball.
