Spikeball has become one of the trending sports that’s becoming popular at a very rapid rate. The game now has over 4+ million players worldwide. But do you know how this almost-forgotten game came to light? It all started when Chris Ruder was introduced to the Spikeball. Later, when he checked that the game was not patented, he knew that this project had the potential to shoot up. Although, as quoted by the spikeball owner, launching an entirely new sport is surely a heck of a challenge.

What started as a small passion project quickly turned into a full-fledged movement, with Spikeball tournaments, leagues, and professional players emerging across the globe. Under Ruder’s leadership, the company has sold millions of Spikeball sets, appeared on Shark Tank, and even secured a spot on ESPN. But the road to success wasn’t easy.

In this blog, let us take a slight look back at his journey and how the game became one of the most trending paddle sports in the USA.

The Origins of Spikeball: A Forgotten Game Revived

Spikeball wasn’t originally Chris Ruder’s invention. The game was first introduced in 1989 by a toy company but never gained widespread popularity. It disappeared from shelves and was largely forgotten.

That all changed when Chris Ruder stumbled upon it years later. He and his friends played the game recreationally and loved it. But rather than just enjoying it as a nostalgic backyard pastime, Ruder saw potential. He believed the game could be revived, modernized, and marketed to a new generation.

So, in 2008, while still working his full-time job in corporate advertising, he decided to bring Spikeball back to life. He took a leap of faith, rebuilding the brand from scratch—without investors, without a team, and without knowing if it would even work.

The Early Struggles: Balancing a Full-Time Job and a Startup

Like many entrepreneurs, Ruder’s journey wasn’t smooth sailing from the start. He ran Spikeball as a side hustle for years, working on it at night and on weekends while still holding his full-time job.

One of his biggest challenges? Getting people to care. The game was virtually unknown, and Ruder had to convince customers, retailers, and even his own friends that Spikeball was worth their time.

In an interview with The Garage, Ruder shared how he spent years hustling at local tournaments, parks, and beaches, introducing people to the game one set at a time. He relied heavily on word-of-mouth marketing and community engagement, long before social media became the powerhouse it is today.

The Turning Point: Shark Tank and the Power of Community

The biggest moment in Spikeball’s history came in 2015 when Ruder appeared on Shark Tank. He pitched the game to investors, seeking funding to help scale the business. The response was overwhelmingly positive—the Sharks loved it.

Though Ruder ultimately turned down an offer from Daymond John, the exposure from the show was enough to catapult Spikeball into mainstream success. Overnight, sales skyrocketed, and suddenly, the game that had struggled to gain traction was on everyone’s radar.

But it wasn’t just about TV exposure. Spikeball’s true growth came from its community. Ruder focused on building a movement around the game, encouraging players to form leagues, host tournaments, and share their experiences online. This grassroots approach helped turn casual players into die-hard fans.

Scaling a Business: Leadership, Culture, and Challenges

As Spikeball grew, Ruder realized he couldn’t do it alone. He needed to build a team that shared his passion and vision. In his conversation on The Best Team Wins podcast, he emphasized how crucial hiring the right people was to Spikeball’s long-term success.

He didn’t just want employees—he wanted ambassadors. Ruder built a company culture where team members truly loved the product, often playing Spikeball themselves and engaging with the community.

But with growth came challenges. Trademark disputes, copycat products, and supply chain issues threatened the business. Yet, Ruder’s adaptability and resilience kept Spikeball moving forward. He focused on innovations for spike ball court, high-quality customer service, and maintaining the integrity of the brand.

From Backyard Game to Global Sport

One of Ruder’s biggest achievements is turning Spikeball into more than just a game—it’s now a legitimate sport with professional leagues.

• The Spikeball Roundnet Association (SRA) was created to standardize rules to spike ball and organize official competitions.
• ESPN featured Spikeball tournaments, giving it legitimacy in the sports world.
• Thousands of competitive players now participate in tournaments globally.

Ruder’s ability to blend business with community-driven engagement is what makes Spikeball’s success so unique. Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, he empowered players to be the brand’s biggest advocates.

What’s Next for Chris Ruder and Spikeball?

Even after more than a decade of success, Chris Ruder isn’t slowing down. His vision for the future includes:

• Expanding internationally: Bringing Spikeball to new markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
• New product innovations: Introducing new versions of the game and improving equipment.
• Further legitimizing the sport: Working towards getting Spikeball into the Olympics.

Through all of this, Ruder remains committed to his original vision: making Spikeball accessible, fun, and community-driven. 

FAQs

Q1. Who is Chris Ruder?

Ans. Chris Ruder is the CEO and owner of Spikeball, the company responsible for bringing the game back to life. Originally a corporate advertising professional, Ruder took a leap of faith in 2008 to revive Spikeball, which was first introduced in 1989 but faded into obscurity. Thanks to his vision and determination, Spikeball is now a booming business and a competitive sport.

Q2. Is Chris Ruder the inventor of Spikeball?

Ans. Nope! Spikeball was originally created by a toy company in 1989 but failed to gain popularity. Ruder didn’t invent the game, but he revived it, rebranded it, and turned it into a major business and sport.

Q3. How did Chris Ruder make Spikeball so popular?

Ans. Ruder focused on grassroots marketing and community-building. Instead of relying on big advertising budgets, he encouraged players to spread the word, host tournaments, and share content online. The game’s competitive yet social nature helped it gain traction, and soon, it became a mainstay on college campuses, beaches, and even ESPN.

Q4. Is Spikeball a professional sport now?

Ans. Yes! Spikeball is no longer just a backyard game—it’s now a competitive sport with organized leagues and professional players. The Spikeball Roundnet Association (SRA) hosts official tournaments, and the sport is gaining recognition worldwide. Some even hope to see it in the Olympics one day!