Founded in 1974 by nuclear engineer and tennis player Dr. Harry Ferrari, Pittsburgh-based GAMMA Sports makes equipment for racquet sports, building from its original breakthrough in synthetic tennis string into products for tennis and pickleball. The company maintains in-house research and development and onsite courts at its Allegheny River headquarters, where it tests and refines products such as its customizable Airbender paddles and stringing machines. GAMMA’s TNT string technology remains a defining part of its history, while its community work includes tournament sponsorships, school partnerships, and programs for young athletes.
USA Pickleball Approved
Compliance program
JOOLAEstablished in Germany in 1952, JOOLA makes table-tennis equipment and has expanded its racket-sports range to include pickleball paddles and gear. The brand built a particularly strong U.S. presence through the North American Tour and later served as the official table sponsor for major USA Table Tennis tournaments from 2012 to 2019. Since Sport Squad acquired JOOLA Tischtennis GmbH in 2019, JOOLA has continued its table-tennis heritage while growing into pickleball, launched in 2022.ROCKVILLE, MD
SlingerSlinger designs portable ball launchers that double as sports bags, beginning with its tennis machine and expanding into pickleball and other racquet sports. Built around the idea that players should be able to own an affordable, accessible practice partner, the company’s bag-style launcher carries equipment and up to 144 balls while providing adjustable feeds for solo training. Slinger says its launcher has reached more than 70,000 sales across 60-plus markets in its first 36 months of operations.BALTIMORE, MD
GRAFTON PickleballFounded in 2022 by Maryland mother-and-son team Wendy and Chris, GRAFTON Pickleball designs performance paddles and equipment for players and pickleball facilities. After discovering the sport together, the founders cut open paddles at their kitchen table and tested hundreds of prototypes with their Maryland pickleball community, refining each design through player feedback. The company’s community-driven lineup includes its Elemental Series and made-to-order branded court barriers.MILLERSVILLE, MD
Sports ImportsFounded in 1976 by volleyball coaches and professionals, Sports Imports designs and manufactures volleyball net systems and training equipment, along with net systems for several other court sports. The 100% employee-owned company introduced floorplate-and-sleeve installation to U.S. volleyball and is the exclusive U.S. source for Senoh volleyball net systems. Its equipment is used from school gyms to NCAA Division I championships, with more than 90% of college programs relying on its net systems.WORTHINGTON, OH