Last Updated on May 28, 2023
Do you know, Franklin Sports is the only sports equipment brand that can use the MLB logo on their gloves? Did you know that Franklin Sports made the first official batting gloves for MLB?
Yes! These are a few of the other facts about this groundbreaking American sporting company. However, these may not be enough to bet on their products, right?
Therefore, I made this Franklin Sports company review based on thousands of reviews by their customers and audit companies like Zippia, Pitchbook, Crunchbase, etc. Let’s check out what I found.
Franklin Sports – At a Glance
Let’s check out the overview of the current status of Franklin Sports, including its revenue, funding, employees, administration, etc.
| Registered Company Name | Franklin Sports Inc. |
| Website | www.franklinsports.com |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Revenue | $300 million |
| Last Funding (Debt – PPP) | $2.84 million (27-Apr-2020) |
| Employees | 219 |
| Address | Stoughton, Massachusetts, MA 02072, United States, US |
| Phone | (781) 344-1111, (781) 341-3646 |
| Fax | (781) 341-0333 |
| Category | Sports Goods (Outdoor and Indoor), Recreational Equipment, Apparel & Accessories, Sports Fitness, etc. |
| Product Lines | Baseball, Softball, Football, Pickleball, Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Lacrosse, and Volleyball. |
| Total Patents | 54 |
| Product Types | Gloves, Batting Tees, Pickleball Paddle and Ball, Pitching Machine, Bags, Training Aids and Accessories, etc. |
| Website Rank | 588401, 166109 |
| Website Traffic | 66440 |
| Competitors | Nokona, Wilson, Rawlings, Pure Hockey |
Irving Harold Franklin – From Scrap to Millions!
Any company’s culture represents its founder’s story. And that’s what you’ll find in the story of Irving Harold Franklin, the founder of this renowned sports equipment brand.
Beginning of a Born Entrepreneur
Franklin was born on August 2, 1918, in Brockton, Massachusetts. At first, he joined his grandfather’s scrap leather business. He took over the business when his grandfather passed away.
However, Franklin was born to do extraordinary things and he couldn’t limit himself within this boundary. He envisioned creating a wide range of sports products that would later captivate athletes and enthusiasts alike.
And finally, in 1949 he saw the opportunity come at his door when a client asked him to make 10,000 gloves. As expected, without worrying about the resources or having a clear plan, he agreed to the deal.
Thanks to his problem-solving skill, allowed him to figure out the whole manufacturing process. He successfully made the delivery before the deadline.
Entering Joe Namath
But the journey didn’t end up there for Franklin. He was a horse of long race. During this deal, he understood the significance of athlete endorsement even at that time. Besides he got the cravings to go beyond baseball gloves.
So, he reached out to Joe Namath (Super Bowl-winning New York Jets quarterback.) He thought that everyone knows Joe but no one knows his brand so decided to captivate Joe’s exposure.
Franklin convinced Joe to endorse his products under his name. He introduced Joe Namath’s signature football gear.
With this partnership, Franklin started building the brand identity of Franklin Sports Inc. that we see today. The deal paved the way for his company’s entry into retail stores across the USA.
Father of the Baseball Batting Gloves
Later, following his entrepreneurial instinct, Franklin ventured into a new production line. At that time, athletes weren’t using batting gloves but were suffering from blisters and fatigue.
He saw this as an opportunity and started manufacturing baseball batting gloves. The rest is history!
Franklin is the first inventor of official baseball batting gloves. Hence, many people call him the “Father Of Batting Gloves” also.
Ending Glorious 93 Years of Innovation!
In the next few decades, Franklin Sports expanded its product line and jumped into different sports equipment and accessories, endorsed many athletes, and introduced its signature goods.
Franklin Sports is not counting an average annual revenue of $300 million and onboarded 200+ employees. This trueprepreneur died on November 10, 2011, at the age of 93.
77 Years of Long Success History of Franklin Sports
From 1946 to now, it has been quite a journey for Franklin Sports and it won’t be possible for me to share their mesmerizing story in a single article. But to give you an idea about their achievements, I’ve summarized the company history below.
1946: Regional Brand Establishment
Irving H. Franklin and his brother Sydney Franklin founded Franklin Sports Inc. as a sporting goods manufacturer.
1950s: Expansion and Military Production
Irving opened a factory in Puerto Rico, manufacturing baseball gloves for Spalding and Sears. The company also started producing gloves, trigger-finger mittens, and other items for the US Army during the Korean War.
1960s: Centering Products around Athletes
Franklin pioneers the concept of centering a complete line of products around a single athlete, starting with Joe Namath. The company affiliated with and endorsed famous athletes such as Barry Bonds, Sugar Ray Leonard, David Robinson, Dan Marino, and others.
1970s: Partnership with Mike Schmidt
They partnered with Mike Schmidt (3rd baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies at that time.) It led to the creation of the iconic Franklin Batting Glove, known as the Pro Classic batting glove. It gained immense popularity among professional baseball players, especially among Major League Baseball athletes.
1983: Official Batting Glove of MLB
The company collaborated with Mike Schmidt to develop the original Franklin batting glove. It later became the Official Batting Glove of MLB. The partnership helped the company establish its brand identity on MLB baseball diamonds.
1988: Market Dominance and Official Status
This year Franklin Sports batting gloves captured a massive 80% market share and they joined the rank of other official MLB official equipment like Wilson’s fielding glove, Rawlings’ baseball, and Louisville Slugger’s bat as official equipment.
1990s: Continued Success and Partnerships
Over the years, Franklin Sports continued to expand its product offerings and partnerships. They worked with athletes such as Terry Bradshaw, Herschel Walker, Don Mattingly, Bo Jackson, Cal Ripken Jr., and many more.
2000 to 2023: Physical Expansion and Continued Growth
In May 2021, they made an exciting collaboration with the global entertainment company Hasbro. According to their report, Franklin Sports will now manufacture and take care of the distribution channel of Nerf Sports goods.
In recent years, Franklin Sports has invested in expanding its facilities. The company upgraded its warehouse (which has been in use since 1970.) Now it’s a perfect 20,000 square feet of workspace. Also,
- Franklin Sports introduced a Fan shop on their website that allows customers to buy sports gear from their 31 favorite teams, including Arizona Cardinals, Dallas, Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, etc.
- In November 2019, Franklin Sports announced its partnership with Spartan (the world’s largest obstacle course race company.) As part of this collaboration, they became the Official Performance Glove of Spartan
- Donated 1 million face masks during covid 19 pandemic
- They signed Ronald Acuña Jr. who is till now the youngest affiliate player in the Franklin Sports family.
- A team-up with Kevin Roche. He’ll be serving artwork of affiliated players of the company.
- In February 2020, USA Softball announced Franklin’s batting gloves as their official gear.
- During the same month, they got a contract with the U.S Open Pickleball Championship, which will now officially use their ball.
- The company signed a contract with the New York Yankees All-star Slugger Aaron Judge in April 2022
- In June 2022, they became the official batting glove of the Women Professional Fastpitch.
To learn more about their achievements, check out the official site of Franklin Sports.
A Few of Partnered Players of Franklin Sports Family
Franklin Sports has had the privilege of partnering with numerous talented athletes throughout its history. While the specific list of current partnered or contracted players may vary, here are some notable athletes who have been associated with the brand:
| Athlete | Sport |
| Joe Namath | NFL |
| Sugar Ray Leonard | Boxing |
| David Robinson | NBA |
| Dan Marino | NFL |
| Mike Schmidt | MLB |
| Terry Bradshaw | NFL |
| Herschel Walker | NFL |
| Don Mattingly | MLB |
| Bo Jackson | Multi-sport |
| Cal Ripken Jr. | MLB |
| Barry Bonds | MLB |
| Xander Bogaerts | MLB |
| Bill Romanowski | NFL |
| Peyton Manning | NFL |
| Joe Mauer | MLB |
| Andrew McCutchen | MLB |
| Jose Bautista | MLB |
| J.D. Martinez | MLB |
| Francisco Lindor | MLB |
| Christian Yelich | MLB |
| Yadier Molina | MLB |
| Anthony Rizzo | MLB |
| Paul Goldschmidt | MLB |
“Without them, Franklin Sports provides custom size and designed gloves to 150 MLB players .”
Franklin Sports Partnered Brands
Franklin Sports has established partnerships with several prominent sporting brands, retailers, and online marketplaces. Here are some of the notable collaborations:
Partnered Sporting Brands:
- MLB (Major League Baseball): Franklin Sports is the Official Batting Glove of Major League Baseball, showcasing its expertise in baseball equipment. Besides, they have an extensive list of baseball-related products.
- NHL (National Hockey League): The company offers a range of hockey equipment and gear for the professional league of hockey as well.
- NFL (National Football League): Franklin Sports manufactures footballs, shoulder pads, and other football equipment endorsed by the NFL.
- MLS (Major League Soccer): MLS and FS have also teamed up. It’s the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They offer soccer equipment and gear endorsed by MLS, catering to soccer players and enthusiasts.
Retailers and Online Marketplaces:
- Target: Franklin Sports products can be found in Target stores, offering customers convenient access to their sporting goods.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods: The company also has a presence in Dick’s Sporting Goods stores, known for their wide selection of sports equipment and apparel.
- Amazon: Franklin Sports products are available for purchase on the popular online marketplace, providing customers with a wide range of options and convenience.
- Walmart: Franklin Sports merchandise can also be found at Walmart stores, making their products accessible to a broad customer base.
NCCA Collegiate Products:
Franklin Sports offers a variety of collegiate products, including merchandise and equipment featuring the logos and branding of various universities and collegiate sports teams.
Franklin Sports Product Lines
As mentioned earlier, the company hasn’t limited its product lines to baseball and basketball anymore. They have started sporting equipment for other sports such as pickleball, hockey, volleyball, golf, soccer, football, etc.
In this section, I’m gonna share some of the best products by Franklin Sports according to existing customer reviews.
Best Franklin Sports Baseball Products
The company has a massive collection of baseball gear and accessories. To get an idea about their baseball lines, check out the below table:
| Product Type | Series Name/Description |
| MLB Batting Gloves (Youth+Adults) | Neo Classic II, CFX Pro, Powerstrap, Digitek Camo, Shok-Sorb Neo |
| Fielding Gloves | CTZ5000, Field Master, ProFlex |
| Baseball Training Equipment | Bat Grip Tape, Batting Tee, Target and Rebounder Net, Bases and Home Plates. |
| Bats | Venom Teeball, Barracuda Teeball, |
| Balls | OL1000 9″ Practice Baseballs, Soft Strike Tee Balls, Weighted Baseball |
| Teeball Gloves | Meshtek, RTP Youth, Neo-Grip |
| Pitching Machine | MLB Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine |
| Bags | Traveler Plus, Traveler Elite, Youth Bat Bag, JR3 Pulse |
| Uniforms | Knicker Baseball + Softball Pants, Unisex Child Baseball Socks, MLB Baseball Belt, Youth Baseball Shorts |
| Protective Gear | PRT Heavy Duty Protective Batting Gloves, CFX PRT Adult Protective Baserunning Sliding Glove, Hand + Wrist Guard |
Best Franklin Sports Softball Products
The list in softball is comparably shorter than in baseball. However, Franklin has some of the best softball gloves in their family. Among them, the Field Master series is the best as far as my experience. You can check out my thoughts about its mitt series also.
| Product Type | Series Name/Description |
| Softball Fielding Gloves | Field Master, Pro Series, Windmill |
| Softball Batting Gloves | CFX Pro, CFX FP, Freeflex Series |
Check out my complete review of the best Franklin Sports gloves so far.
Best Franklin Sports Pickleball Products
Basically, their pickleball goods consist of paddles, net sets, balls, bags, and accessories. According to the online customers’ feedback, the below are the best Franklin Sports pickleball items.
| Product Types | Series |
| Pickleball bats or paddles | Wooden-Activator, Volt, Challenger, Christine McGrath, Aspen Kern Pro, |
| Pickleball Ball | X-40, X-26 |
| Pickleball Nets | Portable Outdoor Pickleball Net System, Pickleball Court Marker Kit |
| Pickleball Gloves | Adult Men and Women |
| Pickleball Bags | Pro Series, Official Bag of U.S Open Pickleball Championships, Pickleball-x Single Paddle Carry Bag |
2 Best Franklin Sports Gloves based on Positions
Since Honestbaseball is mainly about baseball, I didn’t go much deep into their other product lines. To help you out choosing their best baseball gloves, I’m gonna shortlist the 2 best Franklin Sports baseball gloves below along with the reasons.
1. Franklin Sports Field Master Baseball and Softball Gloves
Not only me but more than 18,000 baseball and softball players/parents believe that The Franklin Sports Field Master glove is the best series in their product line. Considering the price tag, it’s also the most affordable pick compared to the quality.
The series of gloves are available for all positions of baseball and softball players, including infielders, outfielders, catchers, and pitchers.
It’s made of high-quality synthetic leather, which ensures you get an easy break-in process.
I found the gloves feature a contour fitting system. Therefore, you can adjust the thumb placement inside the gear easily. Besides, the hand-formed pocket design makes it comfortable for any age and gender of baseball and softball players.
To match the taste of all players, they offer it in 6 different colors. I’m sure you’re gonna love them all.
However, they are primarily designed for practice rather than league events and may not be suitable for adult players. It’s available on Amazon for $20.
2. Franklin Sports CFX Pro MLB Batting Gloves
The CFX Pro is their exclusive edition for aspiring baseball batters. They meticulously crafted it to give you the utmost comfort and snug fitting. 4500+ existing customers reviewed it with a 4.7 rating out of 5 on Amazon. It shows the milestone of its supreme quality and satisfaction.
Unlike the Field Master, it’s made of pure leather, which makes it suitable for professional-level events.
Without that, the breathable design makes it the best batting gloves for budget seekers. It’s also good for grip and longevity.
There are 20 unique color combinations available for this edition. You can get the CFX Pro series for $40 right now.
Best Franklin Sports Gloves for Fastpitch Softball
Without any doubt, the Franklin Sports Pro series is the best fastpitch softball gloves in the market for beginners. Check out more about it below.
Franklin Sports Pro Series Fastpitch Gloves
To enhance your fastpitch performance, there’s nothing better than this Pro series within the $22 to $60 budget range. It’s built to provide optimal comfort and agility on the field.
The Pro fastpitch gloves feature an adjustable wrist closure for a personalized fitting. Another good aspect is the responsive pocket material. Therefore, you’ll feel like catching the ball directly through your hand.
Effortless break-in process, versatile design with 3 colors, suitable for left-right hand orientation – these are some more values you’ll pocket with this signature series.
Franklin Sports Patents
According to the Patent Justia, there are 54 patents filed by Franklin Sports Inc and Franklin Sports Industries Inc. Let’s check them out one by one. To learn more about the patents, visit their website.
| Product | Inventor |
| Safety dart | Tak-Ko Wong |
| Exercise device | Irving H. Franklin, Kurt M. Gluck |
| Sports glove | Hae C. Chong |
| Tabletop football goal and net | Irving H. Franklin, Larry J. Franklin, Richard Ferenz, Kurt M. Gluck |
| Dartboard soccer game | Irving H. Franklin, Larry J. Franklin, Kurt M. Gluck |
| Dartboard baseball game | Irving H. Franklin, Larry J. Franklin, Kurt M. Gluck |
| Baseball game target | Irving H. Franklin, Larry J.Franklin, Kurt M.Gluck |
| Sport glove | Chong H.Chin |
| Street hockey ball | Charles T.Quinn |
| Scooter glove | William B.Best |
| Flying disk | Antonio C.Hu |
| Flying disk | Antonio C.Hu |
| Team sports ball | Khalid M.Gundra |
| Combination sports team mask and cap | Charles T.Quinn |
| Self-righting tee ball stand | Seth Hochberg |
| Collapsible storage locker | Charles T. Quinn |
| Hockey glove | William B. Best |
| Sports fan headgear | Charles T. Quinn |
| STREET HOCKEY BALL | Charles T. Quinn |
| Three-position batting tee | Scott deGrasse |
| Auto-return batting tee | Scott deGrasse |
| Adjustable elastic thigh support | Scott F. Cheney |
| Lacrosse stick head | Charles T. Quinn |
| Tabletop baseball game | Charles T. Quinn |
| Basketball | Danny Lowinger |
| Bocce ball | Scott F. Cheney |
| Inflatable sports ball | Eric Jandorf |
| Adjustable kicking tee | Daniel J. Lowinger |
| Combination sports team mask and bandana | Charles T. Quinn |
| 24 Panel volleyball | Khaljd M. Gundra |
| Foraminous football cover | Danny Lowinger |
| Foraminous volleyball cover | Danny Lowinger |
| Lacrosse head frame | Cheng Tsz Piu, Cheng Hung Cheung, Seth Hochberg |
| Erratic bounce baseball | Charles T Quinn |
| Collapsible, weighted tee ball stand | Seth Hochberg |
| Flying disc launcher | Seth Hochberg |
| Batting glove | John Ballas |
| Rolled tee ball holder | Seth Hochberg |
| Multi-part molded athletic cup | Scott F Cheney |
| Collapsible, tip-resistant tee ball stand | Seth Hochberg |
| Soccer trainer | Seth Hochberg |
| Football lacing system | Daniel J Lowinger, Charles T Quinn |
| Variable inertia bat weight | Charles T Quinn |
| Collapsible storage container | Charles T Quinn |
| Corkscrew tee ball stand | Charles T Quinn, Joseph B Bowman |
| Malleable hockey stick blade | Seth Hochberg |
| Batting tee with arcuate adjustment | Livingston T Cheng |
| Molded training baseball | Seth Hochberg |
| Football with spiral tail | Daniel J Lowinger |
| Badminton/volleyball net base and storage case | Trevor Mullen,Ryan Fritschy |
| Soccer trainer | Seth Hochberg |
| Sports ball display carton | John F Purciello |
| Quad panel table tennis table | Ryan Fritschy |
| Bigg Toss | Ryan Fritschy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin Sports an American company?
Yes, Franklin Sports is an American company. It was founded in Massachusetts.
Who is the CEO of Franklin Sports?
Chris Franklin is the CEO and President of Franklin Sports. He has been with the company since 1986.
How many employees does Franklin have?
According to Zippia, they have more than 200 employees right now.
What is the revenue of Franklin Sports?
Zippia also stated that their peak revenue was $300 million by 2022. Considering the total employee, per head revenue is more than $1.5 million.
How many MLB players use Franklin batting gloves?
WhatProWear did a survey in 2022. According to the result, 44.5% of MLB starting hitters wear Franklin Sports CFX Pro batting gloves. The rate has raised 2.5% compared to a similar survey they made in 2021.
What batting gloves does Ronald Acuna Jr use?
Ronal Acuna Jr. wears Franklin Sports CFX Pro. There are some more recognized players such as Paul Goldschmidt, Justin Turner, and Gary Sanchez who use Franklin Sports gloves.
Wrapping Up
That’s the conclusion of my Franklin Sports company review. Overall, the company is a favorite to many baseball and softball players due to its efficient pricing and incomparable quality (considering the price.)
Because of that, Franklin Sports products are preferable for beginners whether you’re a fielder, batter, catcher, or pitcher.
If you want to learn more specifically about my experience with Franklin Sports products, check out the below reviews:
More Resources
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile | History, Success, Information
Marucci Baseball Equipment Company Overview | History And Success
Wilson Baseball Goods Manufacturer | A Brief Company Profile
Easton Baseball Equipment Manufacturer | A Brief History And Company Profile
Miken Sports Company Profile | A Brief Overview
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.