Proton Sports
Proton Sports is a Phoenix-based direct-to-consumer sporting goods company that designs and sells aerospace-grade composite pickleball paddles, slowpitch softball bats, athletic apparel, and gear to competitive and recreational athletes globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Proton Sports does
Proton Sports is a Phoenix, Arizona-based direct-to-consumer sporting goods company founded in 2020 that designs, manufactures, and sells composite pickleball paddles, slowpitch softball bats, athletic apparel, and related gear. Its core product lines are the Series Three and Series Four pickleball paddles (including Project Roadrunner, Project Flamingo, and Project Peacock models) and USSSA, ISA, NSA, SSUSA, and USA/ASA-approved composite softball bats, all built around aerospace-grade carbon fiber composites engineered with input from aerospace and defense composite engineers. Proprietary technologies include the Velocity Core and Atomic Foam Core paddle constructions, Nanotac high-spin surface coating, and bi-directional woven carbon fiber + Kevlar face materials; the company claims its bats hold compression 3-6x longer than competitors and its paddles produce the maximum allowable spin under UPA-A and USAP standards.
The company operates exclusively through its own Shopify e-commerce storefront with global shipping to approximately 150 countries, supported by social channels (Facebook, Instagram), an email newsletter, and a professional athlete endorsement program (protonPROS) covering both pickleball and softball. Pricing is unit-based and spans $25 accessories to $250 premium bats, with paddles clustered at $170-$180 and apparel at $28-$75. Beyond the core equipment, Proton Sports has built out sub-brands: the Atom apparel line, the Legacy Glove Co. for Kip-leather softball gloves, and the Proton X performance apparel line that incorporates Wringer Wear's patented DRYV moisture-absorbing technology under license. Founded by Charles Darling, with Pat Dalsanders as CFO, the company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding or M&A activity.
Proton Sports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Proton Sports
- Legal name
- Proton Sports Inc
- Website
- https://protonsports.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Proton Sports is a Phoenix-based direct-to-consumer sporting goods company that designs and sells aerospace-grade composite pickleball paddles, slowpitch softball bats, athletic apparel, and gear to competitive and recreational athletes globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Proton Sports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Equipment
- NAICS
- Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (339920)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pickleball Equipment & Accessories Retail (CRAMAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Baseball & Softball Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAA), Racquet Sports (Tennis/Pickleball/Badminton/Squash) Retail (CRAMABAF)
Keywords
Where Proton Sports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Proton Sports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase model for sporting equipment including pickleball paddles, softball bats, and apparel. Products sold at various price points ranging from accessories to premium bats.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Bats - USSSA, ISA, NSA Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pickleball Paddles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel and Accessories |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Proton Sports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Proton Sports manufactures and sells composite pickleball paddles, slowpitch softball bats, athletic apparel, and accessories directly to consumers through its Shopify e-commerce storefront. Products are built with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and proprietary foam cores, are certified by pickleball and softball governing bodies (USSSA, ISA, NSA, SSUSA, USA/ASA, UPA-A, USAP), and are priced at premium levels (e.g., $170–$250 per bat, $175–$180 per paddle). The company also operates the protonPROS athlete endorsement program and offers digital gift cards.
Product overview
Proton Sports is a sports equipment company operating two distinct product lines: pickleball equipment and softball equipment. The pickleball division includes paddles under the Series Three and Series Four product families, featuring Project Roadrunner, Project Flamingo, and Project Peacock models in various configurations. The softball division offers composite bats approved by multiple associations (USSSA, ISA, NSA, SSUSA, USA/ASA) with aerospace-grade carbon fiber construction. Beyond equipment, Proton Sports sells branded apparel under the Atom and Proton sub-brands, including performance wear featuring Wringer Wear's DRYV technology, along with accessories such as pickleball backpacks and baseball/softball gloves. The company emphasizes aerospace-grade materials and engineering expertise from the aerospace and defense industry in product development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Atom: Apparel sub-brand line including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, and accessories
- Legacy Glove Co.
- ProtonPROS
Products and services
- Pickleball Paddles Carbon fiber pickleball paddles (Series Three and Series Four) sold direct-to-consumer to competitive and recreational pickleball players, available in multiple core thicknesses and shapes, approved by UPA-A and USAP. Engineered with Velocity Core, Atomic Foam Core, Nanotac coating, and bi-directional carbon fiber + Kevlar weave for maximum spin, control, and durability.
- Composite Softball Bats Composite slowpitch softball bats made with aerospace-grade carbon fiber, featuring a 12.75" barrel and multi-association approvals (USSSA, ISA, NSA, SSUSA, USA/ASA). Sold direct-to-consumer to senior league and tournament players, backed by a 100% Pass/Last/Gas guarantee and engineered for 3–6x longer compression durability than competitors.
- Athletic Apparel (Atom & Proton sub-brands) Branded athletic apparel sold direct-to-consumer to sports enthusiasts and athletes, including tri-blend tees, hoodies, performance Dri-FIT tops (UPF 50), windbreakers, crewnecks, beanies, and hats under the Atom and Proton sub-brands. Performance pieces use PosiCharge technology for color-preserving moisture wicking.
- Proton X Wringer Wear Performance Wear Performance shorts and skirt featuring Wringer Wear's patented DRYV Dry Hand Zone moisture-absorbing panels integrated into moisture-wicking fabric, sold direct-to-consumer for on-court pickleball and softball play.
- Pickleball Backpack Premium pickleball backpack sold direct-to-consumer with 6-paddle capacity, shoe pocket, fence hooks, and insulated pockets, made from high-end luggage-grade material.
- Legacy Glove Co. Softball Gloves Premium Kip leather softball/baseball gloves sold under the Legacy Glove Co. sub-brand, available in multiple sizes (12.75"–13.5") and web configurations (Mod V Web, H Web), marketed from youth through professional play.
- Proton Sports Gift Cards Digital gift cards in $10, $50, and $100 denominations sold on the Proton Sports website for use across the company's pickleball and softball product lines.
Quantifiable outcome
- Bats maintain designated compression for 3-6x longer than competitors
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Proton Sports
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Proton Sports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Proton Sports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Proton Sports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Onix Pickleball: Onix (an Escalade Sports brand) is a mass-market pickleball paddle and ball brand with broad retail and DTC presence. It overlaps with Proton's paddle category but competes at a more accessible price tier, illustrating both peer and adjacent-tier competition.
- Engage Pickleball: Engage designs and sells premium composite pickleball paddles with proprietary core technology and cold-rolled carbon fiber surfaces, marketing extreme spin and control. Overlaps with Proton's signature pitch around performance, spin, and sweet-spot size.
- CRBN Pickleball: CRBN is a DTC-first premium pickleball paddle specialist built around carbon fiber and composite engineering, similar in technology emphasis to Proton's aerospace-grade positioning. Comparable category placement, similar price points, and similar target buyer.
- JOOLA: JOOLA (backed by LVMH) operates a premium pickleball paddle line alongside its legacy table tennis business. It competes head-to-head with Proton on high-end composite pickleball paddles sold through DTC and sporting goods retail, with strong endorsement and visibility budgets.
- Vulcan Pickleball: Vulcan Sporting Goods produces pickleball paddles using composite and carbon fiber technology and is approved by USAP/UPA-A. Comparable to Proton in paddle engineering focus, association certifications, and target competitive player.
- Selkirk Sport: Selkirk is a leading premium pickleball paddle and equipment brand (owner of LPC) using proprietary composite cores and textured surfaces. It is the most direct comparable to Proton in target customer (competitive pickleball players), premium pricing tier, and DTC-led brand-build playbook.
- Miken Sports: Miken (a Rawlings brand) is a leading slowpitch softball bat manufacturer known for high-compression composite bats approved across USSSA/NSA/ISA. Directly comparable to Proton's softball bat product line on materials, certification set, and slowpitch player target.
Broad incumbents
- DeMarini: DeMarini (Wilson Sporting Goods) makes composite softball and baseball bats with association approvals, plus apparel and gear at scale. Comparable to Proton's composite softball focus and expanding apparel ambitions, but at significantly larger incumbency.
- Franklin Sports: Franklin is a broad-line sporting goods manufacturer and brand owner (pickleball, ball, bats, apparel). Comparable to Proton across the full pickleball-softball-apparel tri-category, providing a useful benchmark for category extension and mass-retail scale.
- Easton (Vista Outdoor): Easton is a long-established sporting goods manufacturer producing composite softball and baseball bats, gloves, and other equipment at scale. Comparable as an incumbent in Proton's softball bat category with broad distribution across sporting goods retailers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Proton Sports social profiles
Digital presenceProton Sports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Proton Sports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Proton Sports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Proton Sports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Proton Sports
What does Proton Sports do?
Proton Sports manufactures and sells composite pickleball paddles, slowpitch softball bats, athletic apparel, and accessories directly to consumers through its Shopify e-commerce storefront. Products are built with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and proprietary foam cores, are certified by pickleball and softball governing bodies (USSSA, ISA, NSA, SSUSA, USA/ASA, UPA-A, USAP), and are priced at premium levels (e.g., $170–$250 per bat, $175–$180 per paddle). The company also operates the protonPROS athlete endorsement program and offers digital gift cards.
Is Proton Sports a public or private company?
Proton Sports is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Proton Sports founded?
Proton Sports was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Proton Sports based?
Proton Sports is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Proton Sports make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Who are Proton Sports's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Onix Pickleball, Engage Pickleball, CRBN Pickleball, JOOLA, Vulcan Pickleball, Selkirk Sport and Miken Sports. Broad incumbents are DeMarini, Franklin Sports and Easton (Vista Outdoor).
Does Proton Sports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Proton Sports.
What industry is Proton Sports in?
Proton Sports's product category is Sports Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAFAB, Pickleball Equipment & Accessories Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAEAA, Baseball & Softball Equipment Retail. Its NAICS code is 33992 and its SIC code is 3949.