'Shark Tank' Season 15: Why did PaddleSmash reject Kevin O'Leary's offer? Firm joins hands with Dallas Pickleball Club owners
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: PaddleSmash is a new competitor in the outdoor sports market that is winning over friends and family alike. Joe Bingham, a structural engineer, invented this exciting game that combines spikeball with pickleball.
After pitching it on 'Shark Tank' Season 15, founders Scott Brown and Tim Swindle signed a deal with Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec, leaving Kevin O'Leary hanging dry.
Tim and Scott were looking for $250,000 for a 10% interest in their firm, PaddleSmash. PaddleSmash is a two-on-two game in which each participant bounces a ball off a trampoline-like apparatus.
PaddleSmash costs $50 to produce and sells for $200. Paddlesmash has sold $700,000 in merchandise and is now breaking even.
The entrepreneurs have stated that they want $250,000 for inventory and social media. Mark and Robert offered $250,000 for a 20% share, and Kevin countered with a $250,000 offer for a 15% stake.
Tim and Scott, however, reached an agreement with Robert and Mark. They will get $250,000 in exchange for a 20% stake in their firm.
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) has announced the formation of VIBE Pickleball, a team-based league, featuring Mark Cuban as its inaugural club owner. VIBE debuted in 2023, with six rosters from the start.
Mark and Robert, along with Dirk Nowitzki, John Isner, Chandler Parsons, and Todd Wagner, founded the Dallas Pickleball Club in 2023.
PaddleSmash seemed to have been eyeing these two Sharks all along based on their acceptance of the offer.
What is PaddleSmash on 'Shark Tank'?
PaddleSmash is a simple game to set up and play, and it can be played on the beach or in someone's garden. The game was reportedly similar to pickleball and roundnet merged into a single new game.
Ideally a four-player game, PaddleSmash may also be played by two or three people. With just three touches or fewer, players use paddles to bump, set, and smash the ball onto the court after setting the foldable court down on a level surface. A team scores when the ball is unable to cross the net or lands on the other side without being returned.
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Who are the founders of PaddleSmash from 'Shark Tank'?
The road from a backyard creation to a commercial sensation was not taken alone. Joe Bingham, the inventor, is a buddy of Tim and Scott. Both men are seasoned business owners with extensive experience in the toy and gaming industries.
It was love at first sight for them when they met PaddleSmash. Recognizing its enormous potential, they collaborated with Bingham to refine the game and prepare it for the public eye.
Their knowledge was crucial in developing PaddleSmash into a marketable product. Every choice, from improving the equipment's durability and mobility to smart marketing and networking, reflected the duo's passion.
Where can you buy PaddleSmash from 'Shark Tank'?
PaddleSmash gear is available for purchase at PaddleSmash.com, Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Scheels. A whole set costs around $199. That's the starting price on Amazon, where it now has a 4.5-star rating based on 59 reviews.
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'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on ABC on Fridays at 8 pm ET.
Missed episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and the show can also be watched on Hulu the next day. Not just that, viewers can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.