Strengthening its position in the growing sport of pickleball, Franklin Sports recently signed a partnership with pro pickleball players JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson and Julie Johnson. With the partnership, Franklin Sports becomes the exclusive paddle provider to the Johnson family. The partnership will also introduce a signature paddle designed with JW Johnson in 2023.

JW Johnson, 19, is currently the No. 1 ranked APP men’s pickleball pro, medaling 47 times in 2022 with three triple crowns. Jorja Johnson, 15, is the No. 1 ranked APP women’s pickleball pro, winning 26 medals and placing first in seven pro events in her first full season on the APP tour this year. Julie Johnson, 50, is the No. 2 ranked APP Senior Women’s pickleball pro, medaling 26 times and placing first five times in senior professional divisions in 2022.

“The Johnson’s have quickly become the first family of professional pickleball with stellar performances throughout their careers, particularly in 2022,” said Adam Franklin, president of Franklin Sports. “We’re thrilled to partner with them as they continue climbing the ranks.”

Franklin entered the pickleball market in early 2017 with the release of the X-40 ball, the Official Ball of USA Pickleball’s governing body. The Johnson family become the latest additions to Franklin’s roster of sponsored pickleball athletes, including Lea Jansen, Christine McGrath and Zane Navratil.