| What do my best friend's mom and my teenage nephew have in common? They've both called dibs on the next open pickleball court. Before you laugh, hear me out: Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport for the third year in a row. Nearly 8.9 million players spanning multiple generations, genders, and levels of athleticism are picking up a paddle and hitting the court. In the LikeFolio universe, consumer mentions of playing pickleball are up 185% year-over-year: 
But more importantly for investors is that pickleball's rapid adoption feels eerily familiar to another opportunity that was a moneymaker… Can you think of another sport or activity that experienced rapid adoption among the masses thanks to its entertainment factor and widespread appeal? If you said Topgolf, we like where your head's at. Topgolf Callaway (MODG) popped onto the entertainment scene in 2016 and recorded rapid growth through the onset of the pandemic: 
The key factors to Topgolf's success? Making golf appealing, accessible, and fun: Topgolf's unique and innovative approach to golf appeals to a broader audience, making it more accessible and appealing to millennials and younger generations. Topgolf's affordable and convenient model of renting bays by the hour and providing necessary equipment has made golf more accessible for first-timers, and its locations in urban areas have made it more convenient to access. No golf club or country club membership required. Topgolf has successfully created a community around its brand through a fun and welcoming environment, attracting a loyal following of customers, and promoting its brand through social media, influencer partnerships, and events. For investors, Topgolf's popularity directly translated to success for Callaway Golf when it was acquired. In the months after the merger was completed on March 8, 2021, MODG shares soared by nearly 40%. In 2022, Topgolf made up 39% ($1.5 billion) of Topgolf Callaway's total revenue ($3.995 billion), with Topgolf Callaway estimating that Topgolf will generate approximately 50% of the company's total adjusted EBITDA in 2023. Callaway Golf even changed its name to Topgolf Callaway. If pickleball is the next Topgolf, then you know there are investment opportunities to take advantage of… In fact, there are a handful of similar “pickleball” entertainment venues that are surging in popularity, like Chicken N Pickle. The heartland-based pickleball venue serves up classic bar food and cold bevvies for consumers who prefer their sports activity with a side of fries. And Google Trends data shows a serious uptick in interest over the last few years: 
Venues like Chicken N Pickle are privately owned (for now), so that doesn't help you immediately… But other companies are taking note of the macro behavior tailwind that you can invest in. So, we've developed a “Pickleball Watchlist” for investors. These companies are all effectively targeting the pickleball audience and seeing rocketing consumer demand as a result. Check it out… Prefer to read online? Click here Pickleball Watchlist Stock No. 1: Skechers (SKX) Last year, sneaker brand Skechers (SKX) announced new multi-year partnerships with the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and USA Pickleball, making Skechers the official footwear company for each organization. Skechers launched its first range of pickleball footwear, the Viper Court, in April 2022 at the US Open Pickleball Championships. The sneakers quickly sold out and received an overwhelmingly positive response. And LikeFolio data confirms that Skechers demand is building on the turnaround recorded in 2022, as Skechers Consumer Purchase Intent (PI) Mentions increase by 12% year-over-year: 
Pickleball Watchlist Stock No. 2: On Running (ONON) On Running (ONON) specializes in high-quality athletic footwear and is backed by tennis legend, Roger Federer. And with many consumers considering pickleball the "gateway" sport into (or easier version of) tennis, they're increasingly making a connection between the company's tennis-based shoes and pickleball activities. 
Following a surge in demand in the first quarter of the year, ONON PI Mentions are only accelerating into Q2: 
You can learn more about why we love ONON right here. Pickleball Watchlist Stock No. 3: Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) is leaning into the pickleball universe, with many consumers reporting the company's “tennis” section being flooded with pickleball gear and apparel. 
The athletic retailer carries all the top-mentioned pickleball gear brands in the LikeFolio universe — notably, Onix, Monarch, Selkirk, Franklin, and even Skechers. And DKS demand is popping in the current quarter, as many consumers prioritize exercise and recreational activities as necessity rather than discretionary: 
Watch these pickleball stocks. Until next time, | 
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