FRANKLIN SPORTS SIGNS WORLD NO. 1 PICKLEBALL PLAYER ANNA LEIGH WATERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Franklin Sports, a Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand, has signed pickleball’s number one player, Anna Leigh Waters, to a long-term agreement, further elevating the brand’s presence in the global pickleball landscape.

Franklin Sports President Adam Franklin said the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to support athletes at every level while continuing to grow the sport internationally.

As part of the agreement, Waters will compete using Franklin’s award-winning C45° Carbon Fiber Paddle technology and collaborate with the company to co-design a signature line of pickleball products, including paddles, bags, and accessories.

According to Franklin Sports in a statement, the multi-thermoformed C45° carbon weave is widely used on the professional circuit and underpins its performance-focused product development.

In addition, Waters and Franklin Sports will also introduce a new professional-grade pickleball to complement the company’s existing X-40 ball line, which is used across major pickleball competitions.

The partnership includes athlete insights, product testing, and innovation initiatives aimed at enhancing player performance, while supporting Franklin Sports’ international expansion through marketing and global outreach.

At 18 years old, Waters dominates the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) and is already the winningest player in PPA history with 181 gold medals and 39 career triple crowns.

Franklin Sports first entered the pickleball market in 2017 with the introduction of its X-40 Ball and now offers a full range of pickleball equipment, including paddles, nets, bags, and accessories, strengthening its reputation as the global leader in professional pickleball.

-- BERNAMA