[Peachtree Corners, GA, April 3, 2026] — Mizuno, a global leader in performance sports equipment and apparel, today announced a three-year partnership with Empowher Pickleball, a fast-growing platform dedicated to empowering women through the sport of pickleball. Through this agreement, Mizuno will serve as the exclusive footwear partner of Empowher Pickleball from 2026 through 2029.
As part of the partnership, Mizuno will provide performance footwear to all Empowher Pickleball coaches, supporting their presence across the organization’s camps, clinics, and retreat experiences nationwide. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to growing the game through community, connection, and access to high-quality equipment.
In addition to on-court integration, Mizuno and Empowher Pickleball will launch a co-branded online store, offering the Empowher Pickleball community access to select Mizuno products at exclusive pricing. The initiative creates a direct pathway for players to experience Mizuno footwear while engaging with Empowher Pickleball’s programming.
“We’re excited to partner with Empowher Pickleball as they continue to build such a strong and engaged community within the sport,” said Graham Bucciantini, Racquet Sports Sales Manager at Mizuno USA. “This partnership is a great opportunity for us to support their coaches with high-performance footwear while also connecting more directly with players at the grassroots level. As we continue to grow our presence in pickleball, aligning with organizations like Empowher Pickleball is a natural fit for the Mizuno brand.”
“Mizuno’s commitment to advancing sport at every level makes them a natural partner for Empowher Pickleball,” said Elena Saris, Director of Partnerships at Empowher Pickleball. “They truly see the value in reaching everyday players where they are. The Mizuno brand aligns perfectly with what KaSandra Gehrke has built: a community where women can feel strong, confident, and connected.”
“At Empowher Pickleball, we’re not just teaching skills, we are creating experiences where women build confidence, connection, and a sense of who they are beyond the court,” said KaSandra Gehrke, Founder of Empowher Pickleball. “They come for the game, but they leave with a belief in themselves that carries into every aspect of their lives. That’s what sets us apart. Mizuno’s partnership honors that mission, and it means everything to the women we serve.”
Founded to create a more inclusive, confidence-building environment in pickleball, Empowher Pickleball has quickly established itself as a leading voice for women in the sport. Through camps, clinics, and retreats, the organization blends skill development with meaningful community experiences, fostering both athletic growth and connection among participants.
This partnership underscores Mizuno’s focus on supporting athletes at every level of the game, while expanding its presence within one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. For more information, visit usa.mizuno.com and follow @mizunousa and @Empowher.pickleball on Instagram to stay connected to upcoming events and community activations.
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About Empowher Pickleball:
Empowher Pickleball is a community-driven platform focused on empowering women through pickleball. Through camps, clinics, and retreats, Empowher Pickleball creates a fun, inclusive, and confidence-building environment that brings players together on and off the court.
About Mizuno USA:
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA.