Chris Ruder (CEO of Spikeball) took a lawn game from the 1980s and revolutionized it into a very competitive sport. I take particular interest in Spikeball because my cousin is one of the few employees that helps run the business. Chris started small by creating a few sets with a website to get the show on the road. With the help of social media the game has become a nationwide phenomenon and is even recognized by the hashtag #JoinTheMovement which hopes to build the sport aspect over a lawn game. The business plan was quite simple, but Ruder’s main concern was that people thought of Spikeball as just another lawn game like Kan-Jam or ladder golf. Although it took a long time for Spikeball to grow into what it is today, it is now reaching $6 million in annual revenue. Tournaments take place all over the United States and today there is even a national championship for the sport. Spikeball even had the chance to pitch their idea to Shark Tank which landed them a $500,000 deal with Daymond John.
Spikeball has an impressive story. Cris Ruder’s dream of creating a new sport has clearly shown how well social media can create a fan base and lead to success. I’ll never forget when my cousin gave my family a Spikeball set and taught us how to play 5 years ago. We began to play in Wildwood, New Jersey and everyone on the beach asked us what we were playing. Now when we go back to the beach, everyone has a set and the skill level of players is phenomenal. Spikeball is clearly not just another Kan-jam. The competitiveness and athleticism it takes to win has made it a great sport to play on college campuses. At Grove City College it is now an official intramural sport!
When I went to the beach this year, I played spikeball for the first time ever! I loved it. It was a great entertainment throughout the day and I love how others can join in. Though I didn’t know spikeball until just this summer, I thinks it’s cool to hear how you went from playing an unknown game to watching it become such a hit. Ruder changed the idea of just a typical lawn game to something everyone should get in on. A great innovative tactic.