Douglas Sports

What Douglas Sports does

Douglas Sports, operating as Douglas Industries, Inc., is a privately held American manufacturer and custom fabricator of sports facility equipment founded in 1967 and headquartered in Eldridge, Iowa. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio spanning tennis nets and posts, pickleball systems, baseball and softball equipment (batting tunnels, backstops, protective padding, windscreens), basketball systems, soccer goals, hockey netting, volleyball equipment, and custom netting and padding solutions. Its underlying technology centers on in-house custom fabrication using vinyl-coated polyester, polyethylene, and polyurethane materials with digital printing capabilities, producing branded and custom-spec products such as the TN-45 tennis net (official US Open net for over 30 years), the VCP Max windscreen, the MAX Batting Tunnel Frame, and the PPS-22SQ portable pickleball system.

The business sells through a three-channel model: an authorized national dealer network (the primary channel), direct sales via phone and email for custom quotes, and the NationalSportsProducts.com e-commerce storefront for smaller and consumer buyers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with dealers receiving personalized price lists and supporting documentation including installation instructions, cut sheets, CAD drawings, and bid specs. Marketing is anchored on trade show presence (Fencetech, SFMA, ASBA, NRPA), email marketing, and the company website.

Customers are distributed across private tennis and pickleball clubs, K-12 schools, collegiate athletic programs (NCAA), municipal recreation facilities, and multi-sport complexes, with brand-credential anchors including the US Open and USAPA National Championship. Products are specified to meet NFHS, NCAA, IAAF/World Athletics, and ASBA standards. In March 2025, Douglas announced a major expansion of its manufacturing and office space at the Eldridge facility, indicating ongoing capacity investment to support demand across its product lines.

Name

Douglas Sports

Legal name

Douglas Industries, Inc.

Website

https://douglas-sports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Douglas Sports is a privately held, USA-based manufacturer founded in 1967 that custom-fabricates sports facility equipment, including nets, posts, windscreens, and padding for tennis, pickleball, baseball, and multi-sport venues, sold through authorized dealers and direct channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Facility Equipment

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Goals, Nets & Field Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports Protective Gear & Sports Medicine Retail (CRAMAEAJ), Team Sports Training Aids & Coaching Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAL), Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG), Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail (CRAMABAE)

Keywords

• Sports facility equipment
• Athletic equipment manufacturing
• Custom netting solutions
• Protective padding products
• Windscreen fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Eldridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sports Equipment Sales: Douglas Sports generates revenue through the sale of custom-manufactured sports facility equipment including nets, windscreens, protective padding, posts, and court equipment. Products are sold through authorized dealers, direct sales, and e-commerce channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Douglas Sports manufactures and custom-fabricates sports facility equipment including tennis and pickleball nets and posts, baseball and softball batting tunnels and protective padding, windscreens (vinyl coated polyester and polyethylene), basketball systems, and soccer/hockey/padel equipment. Products are made in-house at the Eldridge, Iowa facility and sold through authorized dealers, direct sales, and an e-commerce platform, with offerings meeting NFHS, NCAA, IAAF, and ASBA specifications.

Product overview

Douglas Sports is a sports equipment manufacturer and custom fabricator offering a comprehensive portfolio of facility athletic equipment. The product line centers on court sports equipment (tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball) with nets, posts, and portable systems; baseball/softball equipment including batting tunnels, protective padding, windscreens, and custom netting; and protective padding products for various sports facilities. Additional offerings include soccer goals, hockey netting, indoor facility equipment, and custom fabrication services. All products are designed and manufactured at the company's Eldridge, Iowa facility with emphasis on quality craftsmanship, durability, and USA manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TN-45 Tennis Net USA-manufactured championship tennis net with 2-ply 100% polyester headband and 3.5mm braided polyethylene twine; used at the US Open for over 30 years.
• TN-30DM Tennis Net Double mesh tapered tennis net ideal for high school and college programs with double thickness at top 5 mesh rows for increased durability.
• Premier XS Tennis Posts High-end tennis posts with internally wound jam-free cable tensioning system, Flo-coat galvanization, and baked-on polyester powder coat finish; die cast zinc gear housings with 30:1 ratio.
• Premier SQ Pickleball Surface Mount Posts 3-inch square heavy-duty 11-gauge steel pickleball posts with welded surface mount base plate for converting existing courts; self-locking gear mechanism and chrome-plated hardware.
• PPS-22SQ Premier Portable Pickleball System Portable pickleball system meeting USAPA Tournament Regulations; won the 2019 Game Changer Award and serves as official net sponsor of the USAPA National Championship.
• MAX Batting Tunnel Frame Professional heavy-duty batting cage frame with 8-5/8-inch OD steel poles, tension cable support system, shared-pole multi-cage design, and 7-year limited warranty.
• Douglas Guard Rail Padding Custom fabricated wraparound-style guard rail padding with 1-inch thick 100+ ILD high-density polyurethane foam encased in 18 oz vinyl with UV and weather protection coating.
• Custom Pad 3-Inch Wood Back Bolt & Backup Plate Chain link fence protective padding with 3-inch thick polyurethane high-impact foam and 3/4-inch marine-grade plywood backing; features rust-proof stainless steel backup plates.
• Custom Sewn Padding with Grommets Outdoor chain link fence padding with 2-4 inch thick polyurethane high-impact foam (no plywood backing for easy handling); double-sewn panels with brass grommets.
• VCP Max Windscreen Premium vinyl coated polyester windscreen (50/50 16x17 weave) with 85% windbreak, maximum tensile strength of 395x401, and superior visual blockage; 3-ply extra-strong hems with brass grommets and optional air vents.
• Privacy Screen (150-foot roll) 100% High Density Polyethylene privacy screen with 85-90% windbreak; tear resistant, mold/mildew resistant, UV stabilized; available in 150-foot rolls and finished panels.
• Padel Court Net USA-made padel court net sized at 32'9" x 36" meeting International Padel Federation specifications with 2-ply vinyl coated polyester headband.
• Complete Backstop and Netting Systems Complete backstop and netting systems with heavy-duty black coated poles, professional quality netting, installation hardware, and protective padding for baseball and softball facilities.
• Elite Basketball Systems Basketball systems including fixed goals, adjustable systems, replacement backboards, poles, and wall mount systems for indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Soccer Goals and Field Equipment Soccer goals, nets, and accessories along with field windscreens and protective netting for soccer fields and complexes.
• Hockey Netting and Equipment Hockey netting and related equipment for rink and field hockey applications.
• Unicourt Multi-Sport Court Systems Multi-sport court systems and equipment for versatile indoor and outdoor sports facilities enabling multiple sports to be played on a single court.

Quantifiable outcome

• Used at US Open for over 30 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Authorized Dealers NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDouglas Sports maintains a network of authorized dealers across the country who sell and support Douglas products. Dealers receive personalized catalogs, price lists, support materials, and access to dealer-exclusive resources including installation instructions, cut sheets, CAD drawings, and bid specs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Jaypro Sports: Jaypro Sports manufactures and distributes athletic facility equipment including goals, nets, padding, windscreens, basketball systems, and court accessories for schools, parks, and clubs — a direct competitor in the same product categories as Douglas Sports with comparable dealer-channel distribution.
• Putterman Athletics: Putterman Athletics is a US-based manufacturer of athletic equipment including basketball systems, volleyball equipment, badminton, and tennis/pickleball accessories — directly comparable to Douglas in facility athletic equipment with similar institutional customer base.
• Sportsfield Specialties: Sportsfield Specialties manufactures athletic facility equipment including goals, padding, nets, and bleachers for schools, municipalities, and athletic complexes — overlapping core product categories and target customer segments with Douglas Sports.
• Porter Athletic Equipment: Porter Athletic Equipment is a long-established manufacturer of indoor athletic equipment including basketball systems, volleyball, gymnasium dividers, and wall padding — directly comparable to Douglas's indoor sports facility line serving schools and recreational facilities.
• Bison: Bison manufactures indoor and outdoor athletic equipment including basketball systems, volleyball equipment, and outdoor recreational products for schools and parks — overlapping with Douglas's basketball, volleyball, and outdoor facility product lines.
• First Team Sports: First Team Sports manufactures basketball goals, volleyball equipment, pickleball systems, and other athletic facility products — directly comparable to Douglas in the basketball/pickleball category serving institutional buyers.
• Edwards Sports Products: Edwards Sports Products manufactures sports facility padding, gymnasium equipment, and protective products — directly comparable to Douglas's custom padding and indoor sports facility lines serving schools and athletic facilities.

Emerging players

• Har-Tru: Har-Tru is a leading tennis court surface and accessories supplier — adjacent to Douglas's tennis focus (nets, posts) with overlapping tennis facility buyer relationships, though specializing in court surfacing rather than equipment.
• Covermaster: Covermaster manufactures protective covers, tarps, and field-protection products for athletic facilities — comparable to Douglas's windscreen and protective padding categories with overlap in custom facility solutions.

Broad incumbents

• Draper (athletic equipment): Draper is a broad manufacturer of gymnasium equipment including basketball backstops, volleyball equipment, divider curtains, and wall padding — competing with Douglas in indoor sports facility equipment as a larger, more diversified incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DouglasSports
• Facebookfacebook.com/DouglasSports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/douglas-sports

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Douglas Sports