PickleRage, LLC., the indoor pickleball club franchise, announced the next phase of its national expansion. It entered into a multi-year, multi-faceted agreement with the Johnson family, known worldwide as top Pickleball players.

The partnership is a significant milestone for PickleRage as it aims to open over 500 locations nationwide within the next five years.

Reigning National Singles Champion JW Johnson, former No. 1 APP Tour Senior Pro Julie Johnson (Mother) and seasoned coach/instructor Jack Johnson (Father) will represent PickleRage as ambassadors and support the company’s membership and expansion efforts.

“We’re delighted to join forces with JW, Julie and Jack Johnson as we advance our mission to foster community connection through the widespread enjoyment of pickleball,” said Mike Law, SVP of marketing at PickleRage. “Beyond their impressive on-court achievements, the Johnson family’s deep expertise and passion for the sport make them invaluable partners as we strive to deliver state-of-the-art facilities and unparalleled experiences for players of all levels to enjoy the sport year-round.”

The Johnson family’s involvement brings numerous benefits to PickleRage and its franchisees. “As the fastest growing sport in the U.S., we couldn’t think of better ambassadors to propel the sport forward and shape our offerings as we expand into new markets, complementing our existing and planned locations in Maryland, Florida and Michigan,” remarked Eric OConnor, VP of franchise development.

As part of the agreement, the Johnson Family will play an integral role across PickleRage’s commercial operations, including instruction and program development, membership engagement, and collaboration with franchisees. This will be instrumental in supporting PickleRage’s expansion to communities nationwide. PickleRage will also receive a variety of branding, marketing and engagement benefits throughout the term.

“We’re thrilled to partner with PickleRage in bringing the joy of pickleball, a sport we hold dear as a family, to communities nationwide,” shared Julie Johnson. “Working alongside PickleRage and its franchisees, we’re committed to promoting a shared love for the game and delivering exceptional experiences for players of all ages and skill levels.”

The Johnson family has been mainstays on the Professional Pickleball Tours since they burst onto the scene in 2021. Julie and Jack started playing the game during the pandemic after the family relocated to Florida from Kansas. It wasn’t long before their children, JW and Jorja, joined them on the courts and at tournaments. Three years after starting, they are considered the first family of Pickleball. 

JW Johnson is the reigning USA Pickleball Nationals singles champion and the US Open Men’s Doubles (with Dylan Frazier) and Mixed Doubles (with Anna Leigh Waters) Champion. He is one of the top-ranked players in all disciplines on the PPA Tour and a member of the Dallas Flash of the Major League Pickleball League.

Julie Johnson has consistently been one of the top senior professionals in Pickleball. In 2022, she ranked overall as the No.1 senior pro on the APP Tour. She splits her time between coaching and managing her top-ranked children, JW and Jorja, and playing in various national events around the country.

Jack Johnson reached All-American status as a senior during his four-year collegiate tennis career at Pittsburg State (KS). After college, he stayed close to the game as a coach while running his veterinary practice. He was instrumental in his kids’ introduction to Pickleball with his wife Julie and continues to play a large role in their careers.    

The Johnsons will make their first PickleRage club appearance at the West Bloomfield, MI, location on September 7th, where they will host clinics throughout the day.

Images courtesy PickleRage and Johnson Family (from left to right: Jack Johnson, Julie Johnson and JW Johnson)