The Paddletek Group has made one of the biggest moves of the 2026 pickleball season, announcing both the acquisition of innovative paddle manufacturer PIKKL and the signing of four of the sport’s biggest stars—JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Julie Johnson and Hurricane Tyra Black—to Team Paddletek. The dual announcement significantly strengthens the company’s position in the increasingly competitive performance paddle market.
The acquisition adds PIKKL’s performance-focused technology platform to a growing portfolio that already includes Paddletek, ProXR and Yobow. PIKKL founders Mike Strommen and Dan Martinson will remain involved with the business, continuing to drive product innovation under the Paddletek Group umbrella. The move follows the formation of the Paddletek Group in late 2025, creating one of the industry’s largest collections of premium paddle brands.
Equally significant is the addition of the Johnson family and Hurricane Tyra Black, one of professional pickleball’s most accomplished foursomes. JW and Jorja Johnson, among the sport’s most recognizable sibling stars, had departed Franklin Pickleball earlier this year, fueling speculation about their next equipment partner. Their signing reunites them with reigning Major League Pickleball champion teammate Hurricane Tyra Black under the Paddletek banner.
Paddletek executives said the acquisition and athlete signings reflect a broader strategy of combining innovative technology with elite player development. Company leadership believes bringing together established brands and world-class professionals will accelerate product innovation while expanding its influence across the rapidly growing pickleball market.
For the professional game, the announcement marks another major shift in an offseason that has seen numerous high-profile athletes change paddle sponsors. As equipment manufacturers continue investing aggressively in both technology and player endorsements, competition among leading brands appears poised to intensify heading into the second half of the 2026 season.
