Bluestone Equity Partners has made a strategic investment in Selkirk Sport, positioning the pickleball equipment and sportswear brand to accelerate product development, expand across omnichannel retail, and pursue targeted growth in Asia. The transaction represents Selkirk’s first external investment and marks Bluestone’s ninth deal from its inaugural $300 million fund, which closed in a single close in the first quarter of 2023.
Selkirk, founded in 2014 by brothers Rob and Mike Barnes and their father Jim, has grown into one of the most recognized performance brands in pickleball as participation in the sport has surged in the U.S. Bluestone cited market momentum that has seen adult pickleball participation increase roughly sixfold from 2019 to 2024, alongside continuing investment in dedicated facilities and court buildouts.
The company said it has built scale through a mix of premium innovation and broader-access offerings, including the SLK by Selkirk line, a long-term partnership with Costco, and the launch of Selkirk Pickleball TV, described as the sport’s first free TV app. Selkirk also highlighted recent product launches and collaborations, including Project Boomstik, CourtStrike court shoes, and the Tesla Plaid Paddle, a collaboration with Tesla’s automotive engineering team.
Selkirk reported that total revenue rose approximately 1,900% from 2019 through the end of 2025, as the brand expanded its retail footprint while building a direct-to-consumer engine and content-driven marketing platform. The company also pointed to its brand ambassador program with more than 1,300 advocates and sponsorship activity with elite and emerging pickleball professionals.
Bluestone said it views Selkirk as a category leader in a fast-scaling sport and expects to support both organic growth and potential acquisitions in a fragmented U.S. equipment market. Selkirk, for its part, said the partnership will help it scale innovation and distribution while building international presence in emerging pickleball markets across Asia, including India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The company said its roadmap includes next-generation paddles, a new line of quiet pickleballs, and refreshed footwear offerings.
New board members: As part of the transaction, Bluestone’s Walker Brumskine will join Selkirk’s board of directors, while Shaaz Khan will join as a board observer.
KEY QUOTES:
“One of the premier equipment manufacturers in any sport, Selkirk is the category leader in the well-established and still rapidly scaling sport of pickleball, and a very synergistic addition to the Bluestone portfolio. Since 2019, the number of adults playing pickleball in the U.S. has increased sixfold, now numbering in the tens of millions, achieving true mass participation. As growth-focused, value-added investors, we look forward to partnering with Selkirk’s management team to support both organic and inorganic expansion, including targeted international growth in Asia and opportunistic M&A in the fragmented equipment market in the U.S.”
Bobby Sharma, Founder and Managing Partner, Bluestone Equity Partners
“Selkirk has built a powerful and focused pickleball platform that is ideally positioned as the sport continues to gain momentum in the U.S. and beyond. As a leader in the sport, we’ve built a cutting-edge retail and direct-to-consumer distribution channel, supported by investments in content platforms like Selkirk Pickleball TV, a brand ambassador program with more than 1,300 advocates across the U.S. and sponsorships of elite and emerging pickleball pros.”
Mike Barnes, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Selkirk Sport
“With Bluestone’s partnership, we’re set to accelerate innovation, distribution, and global brand reach. We’re exceptionally well positioned to serve a global player base as markets such as India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines develop. As pickleball goes global, we have exciting plans, including next-gen paddles, a new line of quiet pickleballs, and reimagined footwear. Our commitment to innovation and performance remains central to our strategy.”
Rob Barnes, Co-Founder and CEO, Selkirk Sport
