Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturers NAICS 339920

Mar 23, 2026 - Rapid Pickleball Growth Attracts Private Equity Investment

• Private equity firm Bluestone Equity Partners’ investment in Selkirk Sport highlights strong growth momentum in the US sporting goods manufacturing sector, particularly in pickleball equipment, according to an SGI Europe report. Selkirk’s revenue has surged approximately 1,900% since 2019, supported by rapid demand expansion as US adult participation increased sixfold from 2019 to 2024. Industry infrastructure is also scaling, with dedicated facilities up 55% year over year and total courts rising 23% in 2024. The investment signals rising institutional interest in high-growth niche sports segments and a fragmented equipment market ripe for consolidation. For manufacturers, this underscores opportunities tied to product innovation and participation-driven demand, while also pointing to increased competition and M&A activity as firms seek to scale and capture share in a rapidly expanding category.
• Producer prices for sporting and athletic goods manufacturers were up 2.3% in November 2025 compared to a year ago, according to data from the US Department of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment by jewelry, silverware, and sporting and athletic goods manufacturers were fell 2.7% in November 2025 year over year. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees in the industry increased 4.8% in November 2025 compared to a year ago, reaching $25.14 per hour, per the BLS. Sales for miscellaneous manufacturing companies, which include sporting and athletic goods manufacturing firms, increased 12.7% in Q2 compared to a year ago and rose 6.4% from the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau. Shipments of miscellaneous durable goods were up 2.1% in July 2025 compared to a year ago and down 7.3% from the previous month.

• The US sporting and athletic goods manufacturers industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 0.82% between 2025 and 2029, slower than the overall economy's anticipated growth, according to an updated forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the durable goods manufacturing industries including sporting and athletic goods manufacturers. A factor that may curb consumer spending is substantially higher tariffs on consumer goods, which may be painful for households. The forecast noted that a tighter immigration policy could limit the expansion of the labor supply and job growth for durable goods manufacturing industries. However, labor productivity could still improve due to new technologies such as AI and 3-D printing as well as adjustments forced by the pandemic.
• The National Sporting Goods Association’s 2025 Shopper Playbook Study shows most consumers prefer buying from multi brand retailers, a trend with implications for sporting goods manufacturers. The survey found 79% of shoppers favor multi brand stores for equipment and nearly 70% for apparel and footwear, citing wider product variety (59%), side by side comparisons (54%), and competitive pricing (50%) as key reasons. Customer satisfaction was also strong, with nearly 80% very satisfied with local retailers’ servicing of products such as bicycles, skates, and skis, and 98% at least somewhat satisfied. For manufacturers, the findings highlight the need to secure placement in multi brand environments to maximize visibility and discovery. Single brand strategies may risk losing share as consumers increasingly value breadth and convenience. The study also underscores the importance of in store experiences, where shoppers can test product quality and fit, reinforcing the role of manufacturers in supporting retailer partnerships and hands on engagement.