Sports Interiors

What Sports Interiors does

Sports Interiors, Inc. is a privately held, Illinois-based specialty contractor that designs, sells, and installs indoor sports lighting and reflective ceiling liner systems for athletic facilities across the United States. The company's core products are an indirect LED Lighting System built around Cree KBL High Bay fixtures (30,000 lumens, 5000K, 189 watts, 100,000-hour rated life, 0-10V dimming) and a proprietary Reflective Ceiling Liner System engineered to work in combination with the lighting. Deployed together, the systems are documented to raise light levels by 30-163% and reduce annual electrical costs by up to 50%. Case studies cover tennis, pickleball, squash, fitness, and multi-court venues.

The company targets four primary customer segments: collegiate tennis programs (Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, UVA, USTA National Campus), athletic and health clubs (Oxford Athletic Club, Genesis Health Clubs, Northbrook Racquet Club), private country clubs (Cedar Point, Dallas Country Club), and the fast-growing indoor pickleball segment (Club Greenwood, Glenbrook Paddle Club, Widgi Creek Golf Club, Cedar Bluff Racquet Club). The firm generates revenue primarily through hardware sales and turnkey installation services, supplemented by utility rebate management (>=$1.5M secured cumulatively for customers) and multi-year financing arranged through CIT Bank, where rebate proceeds can serve as down payment.

Sports Interiors operates a direct enterprise field sales force across at least 14 U.S. states, delivers installations with internal crews, and markets through SEO/content, case studies, and industry partnerships. The company is the Official Indoor Lighting and Ceiling Liner Provider of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA, renewed 2020) and lists the United States Tennis Association (USTA) as a strategic partner. Other commercial relationships include Club Automation, PlaySight, Har-Tru, ClearSpan, Ground Rule, Putterman Athletics, Fromuth, RSPA, RacquetPass, and PickleTile, creating a broad referral and specification ecosystem across racquet sports facility operations.

Name

Sports Interiors

Legal name

Sports Interiors, Inc.

Website

https://sportsinteriors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Sports Interiors is a privately held, Illinois-based specialty contractor that designs, sells, and installs proprietary LED indoor sports lighting and reflective ceiling liner systems for athletic facilities, primarily serving U.S. colleges, country clubs, athletic clubs, and the fast-growing indoor pickleball market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Facility Lighting Systems

NAICS

Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Commercial Lighting Fixture Installation (HSAOAFAM), Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI)

Keywords

• LED sports lighting
• Indoor athletic lighting
• Reflective ceiling liners
• Tennis facility lighting
• Pickleball court lighting

Headquarters

HQ city

Gurnee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. LED Lighting System Sales and Installation: Sale and installation of proprietary LED indoor sports lighting systems specifically designed for athletic facilities. Includes removal and disposal of old lighting systems, new conduit piping, and hanging of lighting fixtures.
2. Reflective Ceiling Liner System: Sale and installation of reflective ceiling liner systems that improve facility aesthetics and lighting performance. Includes painting of steel beams and installation on ceilings, gable walls, and end walls.
3. Rebate Management Services: The company manages the rebate process for customers, handling paperwork with utility companies. Sports Interiors has secured over $1.5 million in rebates for customers. Rebates can be used to offset financing amounts.
4. Project Management and Coordination: Comprehensive project management including planning, preparation, coordination with other trades, and communication throughout installation. The company handles everything from start to finish with their own personnel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sports Interiors designs, sells, and installs proprietary LED indoor sports lighting systems and reflective ceiling liner systems for athletic facilities including tennis courts, pickleball courts, and multi-sport venues. The company delivers turnkey project management covering free site assessments, custom design, installation, utility rebate processing, and financing coordination. Core hardware includes Cree KBL High Bay LED fixtures (30,000 lumens, 5000K, 189W, 100,000-hour rated life) and a custom Reflective Ceiling Liner fabric engineered to integrate with the lighting system.

Product overview

Sports Interiors is a specialized provider of indoor sports lighting and facility improvement solutions for athletic facilities. The core product portfolio consists of two main systems: the LED Lighting System (using Cree KBL High Bay LED fixtures producing 30,000 lumens at 189 watts with 100,000 hour rated life) and the Reflective Ceiling Liner System (a durable fabric material increasing light levels by over 30% and reducing electrical costs by up to 50%). These systems are offered both separately and in combination, with the LED Lighting and Liner System often installed together to create optimal indoor playing conditions for tennis, pickleball, and other racquet sports. Additional services include professional installation, utility rebate management (having secured over $1.5 million in rebates for customers), and financing packages through CIT Bank partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LED Lighting System Primary LED indoor sports lighting system engineered for athletic facilities including tennis courts, gyms, and pickleball courts. Uses Cree KBL High Bay LED fixtures producing 30,000 lumens at 5000K color temperature while consuming 189 watts, with 100,000-hour rated LED life, 0-10V dimming, and 150 lm/W efficacy. Designed for indirect installation to reduce glare and deliver even light distribution.
• Reflective Ceiling Liner System Durable reflective fabric liner system installed on ceilings, gable walls, and end walls of indoor athletic facilities. Increases light levels by over 30%, reduces annual electrical costs by up to 50%, hides building structures, and offers optional integrated insulation/vapor barrier for thermal and condensation control. Mechanically fastened for a smooth, durable surface with no stapled seams.
• LED Pickleball Court Lighting LED lighting systems adapted for indoor pickleball court requirements, targeting 30+ foot candles average illumination with max/min ratio of 2.0 or less. Supports conversions from tennis or basketball courts and new pickleball construction. Uses the same Cree KBL High Bay fixture platform configured for pickleball-specific lighting plans.
• Professional Installation Services End-to-end installation service delivered by Sports Interiors' own operations team. Includes removal and disposal of old lighting, new conduit piping, fixture hanging, liner installation, painting of steel beams, and coordination with other trades. Project planning, progress communication, and schedule accommodation are managed in-house to minimize disruption to facility operations.
• Financing Services Tailored financing packages for LED lighting and liner system installations, arranged through CIT Bank. Includes a single-page credit application, structures investments over 5 years, and allows utility rebates to be applied as a down payment. Monthly energy savings from the new systems are commonly structured to offset financing payments.
• Rebate Management Services End-to-end utility rebate management service, including paperwork preparation and coordination with utility companies. Sports Interiors has secured over $1.5 million in rebates for customers, which can be used to offset financing amounts or reduce the upfront project cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• Light levels increase by 30-163% depending on facility (e.g., Club Greenwood increased from 36 to 95 foot candles, a 163% increase)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020In 2020, Sports Interiors renewed its partnership with the ITA where the association officially endorses Sports Interiors as the Official Indoor Lighting and Ceiling Liner Provider of the ITA. The partnership provides all ITA member programs access to the best available pricing on Sports Interiors' LED Tennis Lighting and Ceiling Liner System.
• United States Tennis Association (USTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with USTA as a trusted provider of indoor lighting and ceiling liner solutions. The company has worked with USTA National Campus in Orlando, FL, and USTA Pacific Northwest region facilities.
• Har-TruminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Har-Tru, a leading provider of clay court surfaces and tennis equipment, serving clubs and facilities across the country.
• ClearSpan StructuresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ClearSpan Structures, a manufacturer of fabric structure buildings for sports and agricultural applications, particularly relevant for indoor tennis bubble installations.
• RSPA (Racquet Sports Industry Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RSPA, the trade association for racquet sports industry professionals.
• Putterman AthleticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Putterman Athletics, a supplier of tennis court equipment and accessories.
• Fromuth Racquet SportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Fromuth Racquet Sports, a major racquet sports equipment retailer and distributor.
• RacquetPassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with RacquetPass, a stringing, demo, and pro shop communications software serving over 200 pro shops and clubs across North America including Life Time, The Picklr, Sportime, and USTA Lake Nona.
• PickleTileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with PickleTile, an official Court Builder of USA Pickleball offering professional pickleball court installation, soundproofing, and construction services. Headquartered in Austin, TX.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LSI Industries: US manufacturer of commercial and industrial lighting, with strong presence in indoor sports, retail, and petroleum sites. Direct overlap on high-bay LED fixtures for indoor athletic facilities and a similar direct-to-end-customer sales motion.
• Ephesus Lighting (a Signify business): Specialist LED sports lighting brand (now owned by Signify) focused on stadiums, arenas, and athletic venues. Direct peer in the sports-lighting category with comparable indirect/outdoor-LED engineering, though Ephesus leans toward larger outdoor venues.
• Musco Lighting: Long-established specialist in sports-venue lighting (stadiums, arenas, tennis, baseball) using LED and structural lighting systems. Directly comparable to Sports Interiors in target market and product category, though Musco skews toward larger outdoor venues while Sports Interiors focuses on indoor racquet/pickleball facilities.

Broad incumbents

• Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting leader (Philips) with extensive commercial LED fixture portfolios and networked lighting controls. Comparable as a potential competitor/incumbent; Signify also owns Ephesus Sports Lighting, giving it direct exposure to the sports-vertical Sports Interiors targets.
• RAB Lighting: Commercial and industrial LED lighting vendor with a strong high-bay and outdoor product line sold through distribution. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose fixtures are commonly specified into warehouses, gyms, and athletic facilities served by Sports Interiors.
• Acuity Brands: Large North American lighting and building-solutions company (Lithonia, Gotham, etc.) serving commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. Overlaps with Sports Interiors on commercial/industrial LED fixtures but does not specialize in racquet-sports venues.
• Hubbell Lighting: Manufacturer of commercial, industrial, and outdoor LED lighting sold through electrical distribution. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose products can be specified into indoor athletic facilities, though without racquet-sports specialization.
• Cree Lighting: LED lighting manufacturer of high-bay, area, and architectural fixtures (and a supplier of Cree-branded LED components used by Sports Interiors). Highly relevant as both a component supplier relationship and a competing fixture vendor in commercial/industrial applications.
• Eaton (Cooper Lighting Solutions): Diversified power-management company whose Cooper Lighting Solutions division produces commercial and industrial LED lighting. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same end-customer types (schools, athletic facilities, commercial buildings) but without racquet-sports specialization.
• GE Current, a Daintree company: Industrial and commercial LED lighting and controls provider (formerly GE Lighting). Comparable as a broad incumbent offering networked lighting controls and high-bay fixtures that compete with the same end-customer wallet as Sports Interiors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sportsinteriors
• Facebookfacebook.com/sportsinteriors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sports-interiors-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Sports Interiors