Vulcan Pickleball to Get 'Fashion-Forward' Rebrand After Acquisition
The OG paddle and ball brand, Vulcan, was acquired by Stack Athletics and Chaifetz Group
"Our next paddles will compete with the best of the best."
Vulcan Pickleball is getting a much-needed facelift, thanks to an acquisition of its pickleball-specific businesses by Stack Athletics and Chaifetz Group.
The deal, announced today by Todd Boss from Forbes, was a long time coming, first teased by Jimmy Miller in a tweet four months ago to the day.
Hearing rumblings that The Picklr and Stack* Athletics have or are very close to acquiring Vulcan Pickleball. What will this mean for the company moving forward? Will we see a new ball sponsor for PPA or MLP?
— Jimmy Miller (@JimmyMiller_PB) January 29, 2025
Stack is a pickleball apparel brand and a subsidiary of The Picklr, the world's largest indoor franchise with more than 500 locations. Chaifetz Group has a substantial portfolio in the space, including the MLP's St. Louis Shock, shares of UPA and DUPR, and The Picklr.
Stack Athletics President Jeremy Nef will reportedly lead the new venture, dubbed "Stack Vulcan."
A Much-Needed Refresh
“We are bringing onboard a great, long-standing business in the sport in Vulcan into the fold. The Picklr and Stack’s ability to build brands is crucial here. Vulcan has a brand, but it’s a legacy brand and it could use a refresh," Ross Chaifetz, Managing Director of the Chaifetz Group, told Forbes.
Vulcan has long been the paddle sponsor for pro Tyler Loong. Jay Devilliers was another pro on their roster until his recent switch to JOOLA.
The brand is best known for its ball, the VPRO Flight, which was named the official ball of PPA and MLP in 2024, a deal reportedly worth around $2M per year.
John Sanders
The Best of the Best
The acquisition by Stack Athletics and Chaifetz Group provides Vulcan the required resources for a much-needed rebrand.
For now, the focus seems to be on updating its line of paddles.
"Vulcan immediately becomes the most fashion-forward, aspirational paddle line in the sport," said Nef. "It is always important for premier paddle manufacturers to be part of the pro game, so we’ll be in that space. We want to make a paddle that competes with the best. Our next paddles will compete with the best of the best."
Vulcan currently manufactures select paddle models in Memphis, Tennessee.
