Smith’s Sporting Group Sells Vulcan Pickleball Business to Stack Athletics, Announces Executive Changes
Smith’s Sporting Group Sells Vulcan Pickleball Business to Stack Athletics
Hot Springs, AR — In a significant move within the sports industry, Smith’s Sporting Group has announced the sale of its Vulcan Pickleball business unit to Utah-based Stack Athletics. The transaction, confirmed in a news release and reported by Todd Boss of Forbes Magazine on May 30, marks a strategic shift for both companies.
Tanners Team Sports Inc., the baseball-equipment manufacturer that previously owned Vulcan, will retain its Vulcan Baseball division as part of the deal. This separation allows Tanners to focus on its core baseball products while Stack Athletics expands its footprint in the rapidly growing pickleball market.
Stack Athletics, recognized as a leading pickleball apparel brand and a subsidiary of The Picklr— the world’s largest indoor franchise with over 500 locations— is poised to elevate the Vulcan brand. The Chaifetz Group, a private-equity firm based in Chicago, is also involved in the acquisition, bringing a wealth of experience and resources to the table. The firm has a notable portfolio in the sport, including ownership of Major League Pickleball’s St. Louis Shock and stakes in The Picklr, the DUPR player rating system, and the UPA, which oversees the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball.
The Vulcan Pickleball brand is celebrated for its VPRO Flight Pickleball, which has been designated as the official ball for the PPA and MLP pro tours in 2024. Stack Athletics President Jeremy Nef expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Vulcan immediately becomes the most fashion-forward, aspirational paddle line in the sport."
Ross Chaifetz, Managing Director of the Chaifetz Group, echoed this sentiment, telling Forbes, "We are bringing onboard a great, long-standing business in the sport in Vulcan into the fold."
In conjunction with the sale, Smith’s Sporting Group has announced changes to its executive management team. Ricky Dukes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Smith’s Consumer Products, has been promoted to CEO of Smith’s Sporting Group, succeeding outgoing CEO Mike Taylor. Dusty Thornton, formerly Tanners’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will step into the role of President of Tanners Team Sports and Vulcan Baseball.
Founded in 1886, Smith’s Sporting Group has a rich history as a manufacturer of tools and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts. Tanners Team Sports, established in 1991, has emerged as a leading supplier of baseball training equipment and accessories, boasting partnerships with major retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
As the pickleball craze continues to grow, the acquisition of Vulcan by Stack Athletics positions both companies for exciting new opportunities in the evolving landscape of sports.
