Sitting at the virtual table …

Chris Livingston, Sales Manager, Bison

Brent Ogle, Co-owner Paige May, Sales Manager, Blazer Athletic Equipment

Russ Schirmer, Director of Sales, Carron Net

Sammy Huntley, VP–Product & Marketing, Champro

Mike Cunningham, National Business Development Manager, Gill Athletic

Shelby Howard, Court Sports Sales Manager

Nick McHale, Business Development Manager, Porter

Chris Bawcum, Managing Partner, Trigon Sports

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Let’s get right to it: What impact have all of the tariffs and tariff uncertainty had on the segment as a whole in 2025?

Sammy Huntley, Champro: The ongoing uncertainty about tariffs and trade policies has made waves. Material costs – particularly for steel, fiberglass and netting sourced from countries like China and Vietnam – have risen, putting pressure on pricing across the board. To stay competitive, many brands have had to revisit their markups, leading to tighter margins. This has been especially challenging in the entry-level and recreational categories, where consumers are highly conscious of price and even modest increases can lead to shifts in demand.

Chris Livingston, Bison: As of early April we have not had much of an impact, but we have cautioned the dealers that we’ll continue to monitor our material costs and adjust our pricing accordingly if needed with a 30-day notice. We’re hoping as primarily a domestic manufacturer that we’ll feel less of an impact than our competitors that import most of their products.

Brent Ogle, Blazer: The tariff themselves have not affected us much because our products are made from domestic steel and aluminum. That being said, the threats of tariffs and the uncertainty around them has caused the speculative market to go a little crazy and caused some prices to increase.

Chris Bawcum, Trigon: The new tariffs had immediate impact on raw materials and finished goods. With a good majority of products we manufacture/import being made of steel and aluminum we did feel a little squeeze in costs. We have tried our best to mitigate this with minor increases in price so it will not have a major impact on our customers as well. We hope this will be temporary as negotiations and politics hopefully cool down in the coming months.

Russ Schirmer, Carron Net: Making our nets here in Two Rivers, WI, with nearly all U.S.-made materials, it has affected our competitors that carry imported products much more than us. The uncertainty in the economy, the tariffs being part of that, has caused reflection on purchasing habits with nearly all customers. For now, standard purchases for nets are holding last year’s pace, but larger projects are under greater scrutiny.

How has your company responded to all of this?

Bawcum: We did plan ahead and bought heavy ahead of the pending tariffs. The plan was to get containers on the water to beat the deadline. However, with our most popular products we see constant demand in the market, so future orders may see some price changes. Hopefully minimal.

Ogle: We are in good shape to weather short-term volatility. Our raw material pricing is hedged so that we can maintain consistent costs and make sure they don’t get out of control. More importantly, we manufacture most of our products in-house and we source all of our steel and aluminum domestically. That gives us a huge advantage with control over our products and the costs of materials. Now, with threat of tariffs, manufacturing domestically becomes even more advantageous.

Schirmer: We expect higher demand for our products so we’ve invested in more raw materials to make sure we can keep up. We’ve also changed some of our marketing practices to reach people who may not realize that there are superior quality nets made here in the U.S. and often available within a week.

Livingston: We’re still in a wait and see position.

Huntley: We’ve had to make some thoughtful adjustments. One of the first steps was re-evaluating our supply base, reviewing where our products are made and ensuring we’re producing them in regions that have lower or more stable tariff structures while maintaining our high quality standards. On the product side, the focus has been on keeping the assortment tight and reliable — prioritizing our bestsellers and models with consistent, proven demand rather than taking big risks with new or niche items. It’s all about staying open and making smarter, data-driven decisions in an unpredictable environment.

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Remember the “good old days” when supply chain issues were the main topic? Has that issue been resolved or is supply chain still a challenge?

Huntley: While the headlines have moved on, supply chain challenges haven’t gone away — they’ve just changed shape. The situation has stabilized since the height of the disruptions, but new complexities have emerged. As companies shift production to regions with lower tariffs, they’re also facing higher costs for raw materials and labor in those areas. Plus, for certain components like mesh materials, plastic parts and aluminum connectors, local alternatives are limited, which adds another layer of difficulty. So, while we’re not dealing with the same kind of chaos as a few years ago, the supply chain is still very much a balancing act.

Ogle: The supply chain has settled down quite a bit in the last couple years and lead times have returned closer to normal.

Schirmer: I’d say the issues are mostly resolved, but if we don’t work with our trading partners around the world we are likely facing supply chain issues that resemble the pandemic, perhaps worse.  

Livingston: As previously mentioned, overall we rely very little on import products so any issues we had with supply chains were minimal. Outside of a handful of products/materials, we were always comfortable with our inventory levels and continue to be.

Bawcum: For us, thankfully supply chain issues are not currently an issue. The new challenge will be navigating the new tariffs both internationally as well as domestically.

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What were the positives for the goals/nets business in the past year?

Livingston: We planned for flat sales last year and were pleasantly surprised that we were able to surpass that thanks to our dealers. Pickleball continues to be the highest increase in sales, but basketball, volleyball and soccer all did very well.

Bawcum: We have seen an uptick in sales with goals/nets over previous year. Hard goods tend to see trends of really good years and then a slightly down year on some products. Not sure if it is market saturation or just new trends in product categories.  

Huntley: One was the continued trend toward multiuse products. Versatile goal and net systems that can be used across different sports really resonated with consumers looking for more value and flexibility. Online shopping outlets remain a key part of the mix for end consumers, especially among entry-level and recreational players. Their digital convenience has helped the category stay accessible and visible.  

Ogle: Sales were strong for goals/nets in 2024 and we anticipate even higher sales in 2025.

Nick McHale, Porter: We continue to focus on Owning the Complex when it comes to sports facilities, which has led us to new products to add to our manufacturing abilities. This includes the addition of new baseball and softball backstops, which have quickly proven successful, as well as a new pickleball system.

Schirmer: Our sales of sports netting rose over the past year, so that’s a positive,

When ADs, coaches or facility managers come to you for product, what are their key issues?

Paige May, Blazer: Key issues typically include budget, convenience and versatility. Budgets are tight, especially for schools and clubs, so pricing is crucial. Convenience is key. Our customers need fast shipping, easy reordering, responsive service and minimal hassle. When it comes to versatility, we shine there, too.

Livingston: With any purchase, people want a quality product that’s safe and durable and at a reasonable price. I’d like to think we meet all of those qualities. In addition, having a knowledgeable and responsive customer service team to answer any questions they might have helps.

Huntley: Budget is usually the biggest factor. They’re often working within tight constraints, especially in schools and youth programs, so finding cost-effective solutions is essential. Right behind that is convenience. They need products that are easy to use, quick to set up and simple to store, especially in multiuse facilities where equipment is constantly being moved. Versatility matters too – multisport functionality and adaptable designs are a big plus – but it tends to come after sizing up the budget and day-to-day needs.

Schirmer: When they come to us, they’re coming for quality. They’re looking for the same quality/longevity they’ve gotten with our other U.S.-made products, or as first-time buyers are demanding it. Is price a concern? Yes, but the overwhelming sentiment is “we don’t want to have to replace netting every year or two, which is more costly.”  

Bawcum: Price is always the first question. But honestly we see more of our customers really focusing on quality in recent years. Customers are wanting to invest in good quality products that will last them many years. Having a good inventory on hand to meet the customer’s immediate needs is also very important.

Mike Cunningham, Gill: Typically ADs, coaches, and facility managers choose our products when they have concern for athletic solutions that are going to last longer than expected or when they are frustrated with athletic solutions that don’t fit into their budgets — also when they are disappointed with the lack of customer service from their current providers.

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Please provide some advice to team dealers about how they can sell and deliver more goals and nets to their schools and programs?

Bawcum: Get to know the product you are selling from each vendor. It may all look like the same product, but when you learn more about the features, material and overall quality you will find some are better than others. Customers want to know they are buying quality products and are trending toward spending a little more for high-end quality products versus just shopping on price.

Livingston: The best advice might be to get their customers to order now before it potentially gets worse in terms of pricing and availability.

Schirmer: Prices will not be coming down. In fact, they will be rising, so while schools and programs have the money they should be buying now. They need to be made aware that putting these purchases off will make it more painful in the long run. They also need to know that there are superior quality, long-lasting products still made here in the U.S. and I’m not just talking about our products. Purchasing these items is not just a sound business decision, it is an investment in our country.  

May: Schools want equipment that lasts and works across different age groups and settings. Customization is a huge selling point — schools love showing off their colors and logos. Let them know you can provide custom padding and net options for volleyball systems. Encourage regular check-ins with athletic directors and PE departments. A quick conversation might uncover needs they didn’t even realize — like replacing worn-out nets or upgrading old goals before the next season.

Cunningham: Sometimes a mind shift is needed to see the total opportunity in front of a team dealer when visiting a coach or AD. Take a step back and look at the totality of what is needed for athletic facilities. It’s time, in 2025, to become a total facility team dealer to help increase your sales.

Huntley: Highlight the adaptability of your products. Schools love equipment that can be used across multiple sports, especially if it’s portable and customizable. Package deals and complete sets are also a big win, making the buying process easier and more attractive for budget-conscious administrators. Emphasize durability — long-lasting products mean better value over time, which schools appreciate. And of course, focus on offering affordable, high-quality options that align with the tight budgets most schools are working with. It’s all about showing value, flexibility and simplicity in one package.

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Finally, what is your outlook for the Fall 2025 season?

Bawcum: We are seeing an upward trend on growth in all product categories. For us, focusing on developing new products and staying true to quality of our products will be key.

Cunningham: As a company full of sports-minded people, we generally fall towards the optimistic side of life and that is no different when we look at Fall of 2025. We believe in our team 100 percent as we all continually work together to serve team dealers throughout the nation as they selflessly serve our coaches and athletic directors.

McHale: We recognize that the upcoming tariffs and broader market uncertainty will present challenges. However, we remain confident in our team, our direction and the strength of our exceptional dealer network. With over a century of experience behind both Porter and Gill, we’ve weathered many highs and lows. That legacy, built on resilience and performance, gives us every reason to face the fall of 2025 with confidence and optimism.

Schirmer: For now, we’re bullish when it comes to the Fall season.

May: My outlook is definitely positive, especially when it comes to volleyball equipment. We’re already seeing continued growth and interest in volleyball at both the school and club levels and I’m predicting that this year will be even stronger than last.

Livingston: With the uncertainty of how the tariffs will impact pricing and the reduction or removal of some government programs, this year will be a challenge to predict, but we’re hopeful to at least be flat from last year.

Huntley: Looking ahead, the outlook is cautiously optimistic, with a clear shift toward value over just low pricing. With tariffs, schools and programs are likely to place even more importance on products that offer long-term durability and versatility. That positions value-oriented options really well. That said, potential price increases tied to new tariffs and the rising costs of imported materials could impact budgets and buying behavior. It’ll be all about helping customers see the bigger picture by investing a bit more upfront for quality that lasts.

How about pickleball? Is it still a hot market?

Schirmer: Pickleball is still scorching hot. So much so that due to demand we have added pickleball posts to our offering to make ourselves a one-stop shop. We’ve also seen quite an uptick in replacement nets for other manufacturers’ pickleball systems. Our ability to customize any of our nets and replicate others has certainly helped us.

Livingston: Pickleball sales have slowed down compared to the previous years, but remain a high sales category for us.

Bawcum: We have not quite dived into the pickleball market yet. We do offer replacement nets for courts but beyond that we are not getting a lot of calls regarding pickleball.

Howard: With the growing popularity of pickleball and the increasing demand for the sport, we have been in the development phase of creating a high-quality pickleball system and we are excited to release it this month.

Huntley: Pickleball is still getting a lot of attention, but it’s not a sport we currently manufacture for. Our strategic focus remains on team sports, particularly across the youth through high school levels, where we see the most alignment with our products and mission. That said, we’re always keeping an eye on market trends and emerging opportunities.