Marucci Sports Returns to Founder-Led Ownership
Founder and CEO Kurt Ainsworth leads acquisition from Fox Factory Holding Corp.
Baton Rouge, LA, September 26, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Marucci Sports, LLC, a leading sports equipment manufacturer and owner of the Marucci, Victus, Baum, Lizard Skins and The Stable brands, today announced that it was acquired from Fox Factory Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FOXF) and will return to private ownership. The acquisition was led by Marucci Founder and CEO Kurt Ainsworth alongside a group of investors that include current and former Major League Baseball players and other professional athletes.
The transaction returns Marucci to its privately held roots and restores an ownership structure grounded in the company’s origins as a player-founded and player-led business, unique in the diamond sports equipment sector.
“With Fox, we achieved something we had dreamed about since the beginning: becoming the Official Bats of Major League Baseball. I am grateful to Mike Dennison, the Fox Factory Board of Directors, and the rest of the Fox team for their partnership and for what we were able to accomplish together over the last three years.” Kurt Ainsworth, Founder and CEO of Marucci Sports said. “Having the opportunity to lead Marucci back into founder-led, private ownership is incredibly meaningful to me. Marucci started in my backyard in 2004 with a simple goal: to make the products players want and need to be successful. That same goal has guided us for more than twenty-two years, and it will remain at the center of everything we do. I am especially grateful to our dedicated employees, players, customers and partners who have believed in Marucci and helped build these brands into what they are today.”
As part of the transition, Marucci will re-establish a Player Advisory Board, a group of current and former professional athletes who provide feedback and expertise to the company, ensuring that the voice and experience of players remain central to the company’s innovation process. Details about the Player Advisory Board and its membership will be shared after the conclusion of the Major League Baseball season.
The return to private ownership will allow Marucci to maintain its focus on long-term brand building, product innovation and cementing relationships with athletes, teams, retailers and partners. The company will continue to operate from its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with its existing portfolio of brands and key leadership team intact. Certain executive appointments will be announced at a later date.
PointOne Sports, a division of PointOne Capital Group, LLC acted as exclusive placement agent to Marucci Sports and Sheppard Mullin served as legal counsel. BofA Securities, Inc. acted as Lead Arranger for Marucci Sports’ senior credit facility. A representative of PointOne Sports will join the Marucci Sports Board of Directors.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to the expectations related to the sale of Marucci. Words such as "believes," "expects," and "future" or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Except as required by law, Marucci Sports, LLC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Marucci Sports
Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marucci Sports was founded in 2004 by two former MLB players and LSU’s head athletic trainer, who began handcrafting bats from a backyard shed for some of the best players in the game. Fast forward to today, Marucci has turned into a premier brand in diamond sports across all product categories, from wood and metal bats to fielding gloves and protective gear. Marucci Sports acquired Victus Sports in 2017 and together they are the top two most used bats among professional players. Beginning in 2025, Marucci and Victus are the Official Bats of Major League Baseball, while Lizard Skins – another brand in the Marucci Sports family – is the Official Bat Grip of Major League Baseball. Marucci Sports also owns Baum Bat and The Stable. For more information visit maruccisports.com.
The transaction returns Marucci to its privately held roots and restores an ownership structure grounded in the company’s origins as a player-founded and player-led business, unique in the diamond sports equipment sector.
“With Fox, we achieved something we had dreamed about since the beginning: becoming the Official Bats of Major League Baseball. I am grateful to Mike Dennison, the Fox Factory Board of Directors, and the rest of the Fox team for their partnership and for what we were able to accomplish together over the last three years.” Kurt Ainsworth, Founder and CEO of Marucci Sports said. “Having the opportunity to lead Marucci back into founder-led, private ownership is incredibly meaningful to me. Marucci started in my backyard in 2004 with a simple goal: to make the products players want and need to be successful. That same goal has guided us for more than twenty-two years, and it will remain at the center of everything we do. I am especially grateful to our dedicated employees, players, customers and partners who have believed in Marucci and helped build these brands into what they are today.”
As part of the transition, Marucci will re-establish a Player Advisory Board, a group of current and former professional athletes who provide feedback and expertise to the company, ensuring that the voice and experience of players remain central to the company’s innovation process. Details about the Player Advisory Board and its membership will be shared after the conclusion of the Major League Baseball season.
The return to private ownership will allow Marucci to maintain its focus on long-term brand building, product innovation and cementing relationships with athletes, teams, retailers and partners. The company will continue to operate from its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with its existing portfolio of brands and key leadership team intact. Certain executive appointments will be announced at a later date.
PointOne Sports, a division of PointOne Capital Group, LLC acted as exclusive placement agent to Marucci Sports and Sheppard Mullin served as legal counsel. BofA Securities, Inc. acted as Lead Arranger for Marucci Sports’ senior credit facility. A representative of PointOne Sports will join the Marucci Sports Board of Directors.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to the expectations related to the sale of Marucci. Words such as "believes," "expects," and "future" or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Except as required by law, Marucci Sports, LLC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Marucci Sports
Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marucci Sports was founded in 2004 by two former MLB players and LSU’s head athletic trainer, who began handcrafting bats from a backyard shed for some of the best players in the game. Fast forward to today, Marucci has turned into a premier brand in diamond sports across all product categories, from wood and metal bats to fielding gloves and protective gear. Marucci Sports acquired Victus Sports in 2017 and together they are the top two most used bats among professional players. Beginning in 2025, Marucci and Victus are the Official Bats of Major League Baseball, while Lizard Skins – another brand in the Marucci Sports family – is the Official Bat Grip of Major League Baseball. Marucci Sports also owns Baum Bat and The Stable. For more information visit maruccisports.com.
Contact
Marucci Sports
MC Huntsberry
225-224-3691
https://maruccisports.com/
MC Huntsberry
225-224-3691
https://maruccisports.com/
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