Since its inception in 1946, Franklin Sports has grown from a small family business in Brockton, Massachusetts, to one of the leading sporting goods manufacturers in the world. The company’s origins are humble, founded by Irving Franklin with a modest idea of producing sporting goods from discarded scrap leather sourced from local shoe factories. From those beginnings, Franklin has evolved to offer more than 10,000 products across a variety of sports, and it has become a household name among athletes of all ages, from beginners to seasoned professionals. While Franklin is primarily known for its contributions to baseball, it has steadily expanded its footprint in other sports, and in recent years, it has made a significant push into the competitive world of volleyball.
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Franklin’s Legacy in Sports
The company’s most well-known contribution came in 1984 when it revolutionized baseball by introducing the batting glove. This product not only marked a significant innovation but also catapulted Franklin into the national spotlight. With its successful foray into baseball, Franklin was able to forge partnerships with some of the biggest names in sports, from NFL legend Terry Bradshaw to NBA great David Robinson and Olympic boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. These partnerships helped solidify Franklin’s position as a leader in sports equipment manufacturing.
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As of today, Franklin is an official partner of several major sports leagues, including the Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL), among others. These partnerships have allowed the company to leverage the expertise of top-tier athletes, giving its products a trusted reputation and ensuring that Franklin’s offerings meet the highest standards of performance. Despite being synonymous with baseball, the company’s expansion into other sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball has been a strategic move, aiming to cater to a broader audience.
Franklin’s Strategic Push into Volleyball
For decades, Franklin has been a staple in the recreational sports world. The company has sold millions of volleyballs primarily for casual play at beaches, parks, and playgrounds. However, over the past few years, Franklin has shifted its focus to the more competitive side of volleyball, an area that had traditionally been dominated by a few established brands. The driving force behind this shift is Adam Franklin, the company’s third-generation president, who recognized a significant growth opportunity in competitive volleyball.
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Volleyball, particularly beach volleyball, has been gaining momentum both in terms of participation and visibility. From the explosive popularity of the sport in the Olympics to the increasing number of competitive leagues and events around the world, the demand for high-performance volleyball equipment has never been greater. Recognizing this, Franklin decided to step up its game, not just as a recreational equipment supplier but as a serious contender in the world of competitive volleyball.
Key Partnerships with Volleyball Icons
One of the main catalysts behind Franklin’s entrance into the competitive volleyball market has been its partnership with three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. Known as one of the greatest female beach volleyball players in history, Walsh Jennings has been an instrumental figure in Franklin’s strategy to disrupt the competitive volleyball industry. Her knowledge of the sport, paired with her credibility, has allowed Franklin to create volleyballs that cater to the needs of professional athletes.
Walsh Jennings has played a crucial role in product development, helping Franklin design a line of beach and indoor volleyballs that bear the “Designed in Partnership with Kerri Walsh Jennings” insignia. These volleyballs are built for high performance and competitive play, with the latest technology and precision craftsmanship. By partnering with an athlete of Walsh Jennings’ caliber, Franklin has solidified its place in the competitive volleyball market, ensuring that its products meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
In addition to her personal involvement, Franklin also partnered with Platform 1440 (p1440), an organization co-founded by Walsh Jennings, to further promote the growth of beach volleyball across the United States. p1440 is dedicated to improving access to the sport and providing opportunities for aspiring athletes, especially young women, to succeed in the sport. As the official ball supplier of p1440, Franklin has provided the Franklin 9000 Beach Game Ball, which is used in p1440 events. This collaboration has been pivotal in raising awareness about the company’s commitment to advancing the sport and supporting grassroots programs like p1440’s Future’s Tour and the p1440 Gives Back initiative.
Expanding into Professional Volleyball
While Franklin has made significant strides in the recreational and grassroots volleyball sectors, it has also turned its attention to professional volleyball. In 2024, the company signed a multi-year partnership with the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), the premier professional volleyball league in North America. This is a major milestone for Franklin, as it gives the company a direct stake in the growing professional volleyball scene.
The cornerstone of this partnership is the Franklin REAL Pro Volleyball, the official ball of the PVF. Designed specifically for the league, the Franklin REAL Pro Volleyball is engineered to meet the demands of elite-level play. This exclusive partnership allows Franklin to showcase its commitment to innovation and quality while challenging the status quo of professional volleyball equipment. As part of this collaboration, Franklin will also play a key role in promoting and supporting the league’s mission to provide greater opportunities for women in professional volleyball.
The PVF partnership is particularly noteworthy because it addresses a significant gap in the North American sports landscape. Until now, there has been limited opportunity for women to play professional volleyball at the major league level in the United States. With the PVF, Franklin is helping to create a real, sustainable professional league for women and elevate the visibility of volleyball as a whole. This partnership embodies Franklin’s dedication not only to the sport but also to empowering athletes and giving them the resources they need to succeed.
Looking Ahead: Franklin’s Vision for the Future
As Franklin looks toward 2025 and beyond, the company is committed to expanding its presence in the volleyball market. A major enhancement on the horizon is the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) certification for three of Franklin’s indoor volleyballs. This certification is expected to make Franklin’s products even more accessible to high school volleyball programs across the country, further solidifying the company’s reputation as a trusted brand in competitive volleyball.
In addition to the NFHS-certified volleyballs, Franklin will be introducing a host of new products in 2025, including accessories like ball carts and knee pads, which are designed to cater to the needs of coaches, athletes, and teams at all levels of competition. The company also plans to continue building its relationships with key industry stakeholders, including the Volleyball League of America (VLA), a partnership that is set to begin in December 2024.
A Legacy of Innovation and Empowerment
What sets Franklin apart from many of its competitors is its commitment to innovation, quality, and inclusivity. By collaborating with top athletes, partnering with major volleyball organizations, and continuously refining its product offerings, Franklin is well-positioned to leave a lasting impact on the competitive side of volleyball. Whether through its partnerships with legends like Kerri Walsh Jennings or its groundbreaking work with professional leagues like the PVF, Franklin is proving that it is more than just a recreational brand – it is a major player in the future of competitive volleyball.
As the company continues to grow and evolve, Franklin’s legacy will be defined by its ability to adapt, innovate, and empower athletes. With a strong foundation in recreational sports and a burgeoning presence in the competitive volleyball arena, Franklin Sports is poised to make a lasting impact on the sport of volleyball for years to come.
