Selkirk Sport Secures $30 Million Investment to Fuel Global Pickleball Expansion

Selkirk Sport, the premier manufacturer of pickleball equipment, has formalised its first outside capital injection with a USD30 million growth equity investment from New York-based Bluestone Equity Partners.

The deal, announced on 20 January 2026, values the Hayden, Idaho-based organisation at approximately USD200 million and marks an important moment in the company’s 12-year history.

Founded in 2014 by brothers Mike and Rob Barnes and their father Jim, Selkirk has evolved from a family-run operation making 25 paddles a day into a vertically integrated industry leader.

The company reported a staggering 1,900% revenue increase since 2019 and expects to generate at least USD100 million in revenue for the 2026 fiscal year. This financial milestone coincides with pickleball’s status as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year, with adult participation increasing sixfold since 2019.

Commenting on the investment outcome, Selkirk Co-CEOm Mike Barnes, said: “We’re trying to build a world-class sports company from an infrastructure process,”

“With Bluestone’s partnership, we’re set to accelerate innovation, distribution, and global brand reach.”

The partnership also brings recognisable sports investment expertise to the board. Bobby Sharma, Founder and Managing Partner of Bluestone and a veteran NBA executive, will oversee the alignment.

“Selkirk is the category leader in the well-established and still rapidly scaling sport of pickleball.”

“We look forward to supporting both organic and inorganic expansion, including targeted international growth in Asia and opportunistic M&A,” Sharma said. 

Strategic International and Technical Growth

The reason behind the investment centers on aggressive international expansion and R&D. Selkirk intends to use the capital to:

Target Asian Markets: Expanding its “global player base” in developing markets including India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Product Innovation: Accelerating the development of next-generation paddles, a new line of “quiet” pickleballs for residential areas, and reimagined court footwear.

Content and Media: Strengthening its media arm, Selkirk Pickleball TV, to engage with more than 1,300 brand ambassadors and millions of global fans.

As part of the transaction, Walker Brumskine, a partner at Bluestone, will join Selkirk’s Board of Directors.

Despite the outside investment, the Barnes family will maintain their executive roles, with Mike and Rob continuing as co-CEOs and Jim as President, ensuring the honour and “family-owned” identity of the brand remains intact as it seeks to become the “Titleist of pickleball.”

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