PickleRage Partners With Johnson Family: PickleRage, an indoor pickleball facility company with ambitions to open 500 clubs in the next five years, has secured a multi-year endorsement deal with the Johnson family. The agreement features JW Johnson, the PPA Tour’s No. 3 ranked men’s doubles player and No. 8 ranked men’s singles player; Julie Johnson, JW’s mother and a former top APP Tour senior pro; and Jack Johnson, JW’s father and a seasoned pickleball coach.
Strategic Endorsement and Promotional Efforts
As part of the deal, PickleRage will have its logo prominently displayed on the Johnsons’ competition apparel. The family will also assist in PickleRage’s marketing efforts through clinics and promotional campaigns.
Mike Law, PickleRage’s SVP of Marketing, emphasized the strategic nature of the partnership: “We intentionally pursued the Johnsons to sign an influencer agreement because they’re the first family of pickleball. We’re heavily committed to co-promoting their brand. When they win tournaments, we’re going to celebrate them. When they participate in tournaments, we’re going to amplify their message. And we’ve agreed, essentially, that they’re going to do the same for us.”
Expanding Presence in a Competitive Market
Formed in 2023 and backed by GreenPeak Venture Partners and First National Realty Partners, PickleRage has already launched its first location in West Bloomfield, Mich. The company is also constructing new facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., and Glen Burnie, Md., and is targeting 24 franchise partners by the end of 2024. As grassroots interest in pickleball continues to grow, the market is becoming increasingly competitive.
A recent report from FRANdata highlighted that brands like The Picklr, Dill Dinkers, Pickleball Kingdom, and Ace Pickleball Club have each sold over 100 franchises, with The Picklr leading with 276 franchises sold.
News in Brief: PickleRage Partners With Johnson Family
PickleRage, an indoor pickleball facility company aiming to open 500 clubs in five years, has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with the Johnson family. The agreement features JW Johnson, ranked No. 3 in men’s doubles and No. 8 in men’s singles on the PPA Tour; Julie Johnson, a former top APP Tour senior pro; and Jack Johnson, a pickleball coach.
PickleRage will showcase its logo on their apparel and benefit from their involvement in marketing, clinics, and social media campaigns. The deal reflects PickleRage’s strategy to leverage the Johnsons’ influence in the sport. The company, formed in 2023 and backed by GreenPeak Venture Partners, is rapidly expanding its franchise network in a competitive market.
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