DALLAS, January 4, 2024 - Today, the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) announced that Vulcan Sporting Goods Co., a division of Tanners Team Sports Inc., was selected as the new supplier of the “Official Ball” of the PPA Pro Tour. Vulcan’s VPRO FLIGHT Pickleball will make its debut as the official ball at the first pro tour stop of the new year, The Hyundai Masters in Palm Springs, January 9-14, 2024.

Available for purchase now at Pickleball Central and vulcanpickleball.com, the Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT was selected as the PPA Tour’s official ball after determining the specifications were ideal for elite play. Fast, lively and hard-yet-resilient, the ball possesses great feel, aerodynamic flight, a consistent bounce and top-notch spin performance. In speedups and hand battles the Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT ball helps ensure that the better player wins.

“Vulcan’s VPRO FLIGHT is the new gold-standard in pickleball, and we’re thrilled to utilize the ball at all PPA Tour events from here on out,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. “We worked collaboratively with Vulcan, who truly created an elite ball that will allow our pros to play their game in the most competitive and entertaining way possible. It is a great ball for all top-level players where performance and playability come first.”

“It is a new day in pickleball, and a special one. The PPA Tour is the single most important entity leading our sport. I am proud that our brand has been a tour supporter since its inception,” said Tanners CEO Vince Signorelli. “We worked very hard to design and develop this great ball, and together with the PPA Tour, we are making the sport better.”

The Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT Pickleball is in limited release on Pickleball Central and vulcanpickleball.com while supplies last. It will be available at specialty retail starting March 2024 and major retail starting Summer 2024. Balls are packaged in 3-ball sleeves, 36-ball cases, and 144-ball master cartons and will also be available bulk-packed in large institution/tournament boxes. Other dealers and major retailers will be able to pre-order inventory beginning January 16, 2024.

Starting with the 2024 PPA Pro Tour, new-ball protocols will be introduced, now consistent with every other major sport. With each pro match, new, fresh balls will be put into play, utilizing game balls that are at their consistent best.

About Carvana PPA Tour:

Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball’s top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Carvana PPA Tour organizes and conducts tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and showcases the world’s best pickleball week in and week out. Inviting amateur players to also compete and “play where the pros play,” the Carvana PPA Tour offers divisions for every age group and skill level. Characterized by a uniquely festive and fun atmosphere, Carvana PPA Tour events deliver unparalleled experiences for fans on-site, including pro player meet-and-greets, clinics, food, beverages, live entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, and VIP upgrades. For more information, go to www.ppatour.com, and follow us on social: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn.

About Vulcan Pickleball:

Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. is headquartered in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is a division of Tanners Team Sports Inc., owned by Smith’s Sporting Group. The Vulcan Pickleball brand is a collision of style, athleticism, and technology with the sport’s largest assortment of pickleball equipment for all ages and abilities. Vulcan has been a proud partner and sponsor of the PPA since its inception in 2018. For more information, visit vulcanpickleball.com.