Bluestone Equity Partners Makes Strategic Investment in Selkirk Sport, Pickleball’s Leading Performance Equipment and Sportswear Brand

Pickleball remains the fastest-growing sport in America, with U.S. adult participation increasing approximately sixfold from 2019 to 2024

First external investment in Selkirk accelerates product innovation, omnichannel expansion, and targeted growth in Asia

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bluestone Equity Partners (“Bluestone”), the institutionally-backed global private equity firm focused on the Sports, Media & Entertainment industry, today announced a major investment in Selkirk Sport (“Selkirk”), the leading pickleball equipment manufacturer and innovator.

Founded in 2014 by brothers Rob and Mike Barnes, and their father Jim, Selkirk has become the preeminent sports and lifestyle brand in pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Growth is expected to continue as communities continue to invest in pickleball, with a 55% year-over-year increase in the number of dedicated facilities and a 23% increase in total courts in 2024 alone, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Driven by its "We are Pickleball" mission, Selkirk has pioneered several industry standards through its robust R&D capabilities, including the first limited lifetime warranty in the category and the pioneering 16mm paddle core, now a widely adopted performance standard.

Today, Selkirk products can be found in major retailers across the U.S. as it continues to push the boundaries of athletic technology and international expansion. Since 2019, Selkirk has delivered significant multi-year growth, with total revenue increasing approximately 1,900% through the end of 2025. Selkirk has expanded its reach by launching the SLK by Selkirk brand, which offers high-quality pickleball gear at more accessible price points, an exclusive, long-term partnership with Costco, and Selkirk Pickleball TV, the sport’s first free TV app. Recent innovations include the Project Boomstik, featuring new patent-pending technology that has made it one of the most sought-after paddles in the sport, the CourtStrike series, Selkirk’s first mainline court shoe line, and the Tesla Plaid Paddle by Selkirk, a viral collaboration with Tesla Inc.’s automotive engineering team.

“One of the premier equipment manufacturers in any sport, Selkirk is the category leader in the well-established and still rapidly scaling sport of pickleball, and a very synergistic addition to the Bluestone portfolio” said Bobby Sharma, Bluestone Founder & Managing Partner. “Since 2019, the number of adults playing pickleball in the U.S. has increased sixfold, now numbering in the tens of millions, achieving true mass participation. As growth-focused, value-added investors, we look forward to partnering with Selkirk’s management team to support both organic and inorganic expansion, including targeted international growth in Asia and opportunistic M&A in the fragmented equipment market in the U.S.”

“Selkirk has built a powerful and focused pickleball platform that is ideally positioned as the sport continues to gain momentum in the U.S. and beyond,” said Co-Founder & Co-CEO Mike Barnes. “As a leader in the sport, we’ve built a cutting-edge retail and direct-to-consumer distribution channel, supported by investments in content platforms like Selkirk Pickleball TV, a brand ambassador program with more than 1,300 advocates across the U.S. and sponsorships of elite and emerging pickleball pros.”

“With Bluestone’s partnership, we’re set to accelerate innovation, distribution, and global brand reach,” added Co-Founder & CEO Rob Barnes. “We’re exceptionally well positioned to serve a global player base as markets such as India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines develop. As pickleball goes global, we have exciting plans, including next-gen paddles, a new line of quiet pickleballs, and reimagined footwear. Our commitment to innovation and performance remains central to our strategy.”

Selkirk marks the ninth investment for Bluestone from its inaugural $300 million fund, launched in a single closing during the first quarter of 2023. Bluestone has distinguished itself as a private equity platform in the Sports, Media & Entertainment industry through its combination of blue-chip industry operating and investment experience, expansive global network, institutional capital base, and collaborative synergistic approach with portfolio companies.

As a part of the transaction, Bluestone’s Walker Brumskine will join Selkirk’s Board of Directors, and Shaaz Khan will join as a Board Observer.

About Bluestone Equity
Bluestone Equity Partners is a private equity firm headquartered in New York City, with a core focus on the global Sports, Media & Entertainment industry. Leveraging institutional investment discipline, deep industry expertise, and a global network of leaders, Bluestone partners with exceptional businesses and management teams to drive strategic growth and long-term value creation. For more information, visit www.bluestoneequity.com.

About Selkirk Sport
Selkirk Sport, a premium manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim. Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service. It has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing companies, with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Jack Sock, Catherine Parenteau, and a host of premier emerging professionals.