Marucci Sports acquires Utah’s Lizard Skins

Marucci Sports LLC of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has purchased American Fork-based Lizard Skins LLC. Marucci is a designer and manufacturer of baseball and softball equipment and apparel while Lizard Skins designs and sells grip products, protective equipment, bags and apparel for use in baseball, cycling, hockey, e-sports and lacrosse.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the acquisition of Lizard Skins, Marucci is positioned to build on its position in diamond sports while simultaneously developing the company’s presence in new sports markets such as hockey and cycling, the company said in a release. Founded in 1993 with a focus on designing products to protect bicycles and riders, Lizard Skins has since expanded to a range of sports and has leveraged its technology to become the official bat grip of Major League Baseball, the grip of choice for various pro cycling teams and its DSP hockey grip tape is a licensed product of the National Hockey League.

Lizard Skins’ leadership team, including its founder and current president and CEO Brian Fruit, are expected to continue leading the brand as part of Marucci.

“Adding Lizard Skins’ outstanding products to the Marucci family is a terrific opportunity to enhance our offerings,” said Kurt Ainsworth, CEO of Marucci. “With its exciting brand, innovative designs and leading technology, Lizard Skins has earned the trust of top athletes, and its strong presence both inside and outside the diamond sports market makes this an exciting partnership. We look forward to welcoming Brian and his team aboard.”

“We are thrilled to take this step forward in our growth as a company and become part of the incredible Marucci team,” said Fruit. “Our success is a product of our unwavering focus on the demands of elite athletes, and Marucci shares our total commitment to meeting the needs of those customers. I am confident that with support of CODI and Marucci’s resources, we will better be able to provide our athletes the top-of-the-line equipment they need to succeed against all competition. I am excited to continue the Lizard Skins mission to develop, expand and improve equipment for our customers.”