Rachel Zietz, a 13-year-old lacrosse player and entrepreneur, established Gladiator Lacrosse in 2012. Gladiator Lacrosse is a high-quality sports equipment firm that provides at-home sports training gear with an affordable price point.
The young entrepreneur created Gladiator Lacrosse while she was just a teenager, after being disappointed by the quality of equipment she had to use to play her favorite sport, lacrosse.
Gladiator Lacrosse offers a line of rebounders and practice goals for lacrosse players to utilize in their backyards. She founded the company in 2013 after failing to find equipment that could withstand rigorous practice.
Although Rachel left Shark Tank without a contract for Gladiator Lacrosse, she has since gone on her journey to become a very successful businesswoman in her own right. Even today, Gladiator Lacrosse is a thriving business.
Gladiator Lacrosse LLC, based in Boca Raton, has purchased All Ball Pro, a sports ball manufacturer that serves collegiate and professional lacrosse programs around the United States. The acquisition, according to the company’s 18-year-old creator, would help bring her brand to new markets.
Rachel now manages a full-fledged lacrosse gear company that generated $8 million in revenue. She is a sophomore and captain of Princeton’s undefeated lacrosse team. Her expansion into professional rebounders, which she sells to institutions including Georgetown, Yale, Brown, and Harvard was enabled by the 2018 acquisition.
How Did Rachel Come Up with Gladiator Lacrosse?
Prior to pitching the idea, Rachel was not happy with the lack of options, expense, and quality of current lacrosse product offers. Therefore, she decided to come up with the thought of Gladiator Lacrosse. Her coaches told her to play ball against the wall and practice her shooting as much as possible, just like other players who want to improve their game.
However, the goods she purchased for the yard were either too pricey or of poor quality to withstand the force. Rachel came up with the idea of establishing Gladiator Lacrosse after participating in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program (supported by the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce and Florida Atlantic University).
Rachel’s involvement and decisions are reflected in every detail of the final product. She was closely involved in every phase of the design and production of lacrosse goals and rebounders, from raw material procurement to the product design and concept. Her devotion to the game of lacrosse is obvious in every feature, from the packing to the installation instructions. Her goal was to offer high-end sports equipment at a reasonable price in order for lacrosse players to improve their game. Today, she continues to manufacture items with uncompromising attention to detail. The products offered by Gladiator Lacrosse are on average 20% stronger and can withstand rough play as well as harsh weather conditions as opposed to other products in the market.
Our Review of Gladiator Lacrosse
Rachel came up with an innovative solution for lacrosse players to practice and improve their game at home by purchasing high-quality, affordable training equipment, including rebounders, clothing, balls, and other products.
Gladiator Lacrosse has prevented players from purchasing substandard products that won’t last very long. Instead, players can now use top notch equipment at less cost than the competitors. For example, the lacrosse ball can be found for $8.99 on Amazon, which puts them in the same price range as similar goods. Zietz has made over $1 million in annual income so far. Casey Powell, a professional lacrosse player, has signed an endorsement contract with her.
Rachel has now expanded her product line and has included accessories and parts along with bundles, clothing, nets, and targets as her offering. Even though Rachel had other responsibilities like school, it did not stop her from pursuing her dream and boosting online and retail sales, expanding her sales crew, and improving her overall marketing.
Rachel has continued to grow her sales and company despite not being able to secure a Shark partner. Negotiations with Walmart to enhance her sales into the retail behemoth are still ongoing, and her sales are expected to exceed $2.5 million in the coming year. The company’s growth is skyrocketing, thanks in part to her existing contacts, such as Casey Powell, a professional lacrosse player who serves as a sponsor and brand spokeswoman.
Rachel seems to have a winning product offering, whether or not she gets a Shark deal. This is a young entrepreneur that is on top of her game plan and has a bright future ahead of her. She bought All Ball Pro, a sports ball manufacturer that supplies collegiate and professional lacrosse programs in the United States, in 2019.
Overall, we found Gladiator Lacrosse’s products and services to be of good quality. Their customer support team is also excellent, and most importantly, their equipment is fairly priced and better in quality than their competitors. We believe that Gladiator Lacrosse is a great option for aspiring and college-level players to practice. It is also quite adept at handling rough weather conditions and play, which means that there is no need to shy away from playing in your backyard.
Pros of Gladiator Lacrosse
- High quality equipment
- Affordable price points
- Sturdy and lightweight
Cons of Gladiator Lacrosse
- Restricted expansion capability
- Unstable long-term strategy
Who Is Gladiator Lacrosse For?
Gladiator Lacrosse is targeted towards college-going students who participate in the game of lacrosse. The goal is to provide young college students a chance to afford high-quality equipment to improve their game.
Are There Any Alternatives?
- Spin Master
- STX
- Franklin Sports, Inc.
Our Final Thoughts
Rachel claims that lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in America, and that her invention has the potential to dominate this quickly developing industry. She spotted a gap in the market place, a comprehensible need for a new (and higher quality) product, and a potential business opportunity for players like herself, knowing she couldn’t be the only one disappointed by the poor quality of lacrosse practice equipment.
Despite not scoring a goal, Gladiator Lacrosse has won the championships, at least for the time being, in the most important game of all. Her company sells inexpensive lacrosse equipment that is sturdy and, unlike other companies, can withstand the terrible wear and tear of regular practice.
