Red-hot Cincinnati-based pickleball startup Nettie is taking its shot. The brand has announced a new collaboration that shines a spotlight on the sport alongside a Broadway show of much acclaim.
Nettie, known for its retro-inspired pickleball gear and accessories, is partnering with "Hamilton" the musical to release a commemorative paddle. The launch, which took place Aug. 8 at Central Park in New York City, coincided with National Pickleball Day.
It’s the latest rollout helping catapult the two-year-old brand.
Catherine Baxter, Nettie’s founder and CEO, launched the company in New York in 2021 but moved back to her native of Cincinnati in August of that year to grow the concept.
The brand is riding a quick rise in pickleball popularity. The sport now tops golf and tennis in terms of playership, with a market that's expected to reach $256 million by 2028.
"Hamilton" also continues to celebrate unwavering popularity. The hip-hop musical, which debuted in 2015, is a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning production.
It's a natural partner, Baxter said.
“This is a collaboration between two game changers,” Baxter said in a news release. “At Nettie, we brought cheerful, thoughtful design into the pickleball space, transforming what pickleball gear looks like in order to reflect the joy and diversity of players we see on the court. Hamilton completely reshaped what a musical could look, sound and feel like for an audience.”
The "Hamilton" paddle is a departure from Nettie’s typical design. One side is emblazoned with Hamilton’s iconic line, “I am not throwing away my shot.” The other features its signature logo.
In other Nettie news, the brand recently announced a similar collaboration with sparkling water brand Sanzo, with plans to roll out another limited-edition paddle design inspired by the drink’s fruit-based flavors.
Currently, Nettie has distribution in Dick’s Sporting Goods, Saks Fifth Avenue, Free People and hundreds of independent stores across the country, and its paddles have been featured on the "Today" show, the "Drew Barrymore Show" and Women's Health Fitness.
While the Sanzo paddles have yet to be released, the Hamilton paddles are available for purchase on the Hamilton merch site as well as Nettie’s homepage for $99.
