ESCALADE SIGNS FINAL AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OF BRUNSWICK BILLIARDS® BUSINESS FROM LIFE FITNESS, LLC

EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 3, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Escalade, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESCA), a leading manufacturer of sports equipment and indoor / outdoor equipment, announced today that it has signed a final asset purchase agreement for Brunswick Billiards® Life Fitness, LLC from KPS Capital Partners, LP ‘s portfolio company. Brunswick Billiards is the largest and oldest supplier of pool tables, game tables and game room furniture in the United States. Participating in the billiards market since 1977, Escalade recognizes the enduring strength of Brunswick Billiards ’legacy and its enduring connection to the generations of consumers who cherish the brand.

The acquisition of Brunswick Billiards offers a significant opportunity to expand Escalade’s reach into the billiards and indoor hobby markets. Brunswick Billiards complements Escalade’s range of billiard brands, including Cue & Case®, Lucasi®, Mizerak®, American Heritage® and American Legend®, as well as Escalade’s broader offering in the indoor hobby market, including Stiga® table tennis, Accudart® and Unicorn®. darts, Atomic® tables and Victory Tailgate® licensed and customized games.

“Brunswick Billiards has been a leading billiards brand since its inception in 1845. Brunswick Billiards and Escalade share many common values, such as quality, adaptability and creativity, that have helped both companies become sustainable market leaders. “We have personally seen their passion for Brunswick Billiards products, customers and employees. We are now ready to join forces with our talented teams to create a world-class business that will continue to deliver superior quality and value to future generations,” said Walt Glazer, CEO of Escalade.

Paul Stoneham, CEO of Life Fitness, LLC, commented: “The sale of Brunswick Billiards will allow Life Fitness, LLC to focus on building its core business in its commercial / professional fitness business and sales revenue will be earmarked for investment in research and development, combined fitness and supply chain. owner of Brunswick Billiards, which will make it a success in the future. “

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Brunswick Billiards will continue to operate in Bristol, Wisconsin, and will be led by John Kazik, General Manager, and his management team. Escalade will acquire the Brunswick Billiards business under normal closing conditions and is expected to be completed in January 2022.

“Brunswick Billiards has been committed to uniting generations through unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation for the past 176 years. Every day we wake up thinking about managing the Brunswick Billiards brand and maintaining quality at the level that John Moses Brunswick set when he founded this company almost two centuries ago. Mr. Brunswick’s mantra “if it can be built of wood, we can build it better” is still the guiding principle, ”said John Kazik.

Mr Kazik continued: “We at Brunswick Billiards could not be excited about the future with Escalade’s support and resources. We intend to retain our staff and leverage our combined strengths in supply chain, logistics, product development and retail.

ABOUT ESCALADE, INC

Founded in 1922, Escalade, headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, designs, manufactures and sells sports equipment, fitness equipment and indoor / outdoor equipment. Our mission is to connect family and friends, creating lasting memories. The leading Escalade brands in our categories include Bear® Archery; STIGA® table tennis; Accudart®; RAVE Sports®; Victory Tailgate®; Onix® Pickleball; Goalrilla ™; Lifeline® fitness products; Woodplay®; American Heritage Billiards®. Escalade products are available online and from leading retailers nationwide. To learn more about Escalade’s many brands, history, finances and administration, visit www.escaladeinc.com or contact Patrick Griffin, Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, at 812/467-1358.

LIFE FITNESS, LLC

Life Fitness, LLC is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial fitness equipment. The company manufactures and sells its strength and cardiovascular equipment through its iconic brand family, which includes Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, ICG® and SCIFIT. Its equipment has been distributed to more than 250,000 fitness centers in more than 160 countries worldwide. Life Fitness, LLC is headquartered near Franklin Park in Illinois, Chicago. For more information about Life Fitness, LLC, visit http://www.lifefitness.com.

FUTURE OPINIONS

This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to current or future trends or factors that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include: the specific and general impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on Escalade’s financial situation and performance; Escalade’s plans and expectations for the transition to its new CEO and any possible implications and consequences; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market demand and acceptance of products; New product development; Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives, in particular with regard to its sports equipment business, on which it has decided to focus; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the expected results of strategic transactions, including the integration of acquired assets and business operations and the sale or discontinuation of certain operations, assets, brands and products; continuing and developing key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement its own direct consumer e-commerce distribution channel; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate a changing retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial condition of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain due to political unrest, war, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; Escalade’s ability to control costs; Escalade’s ability to successfully take action to reduce the potential impact of tariffs and other trade restrictions on our products and raw materials, including the impact on the cost of production of our products, the importation of products and materials into our markets for sale, and pricing. our products; general economic conditions; variation in operating profit; exchange rate changes; changes in the securities market; Escalade’s ability to obtain funding and comply with funding terms; the availability, integration and efficient operation of information systems and other technologies and the possible disruption of such systems or technologies; security risks related to data breaches; and other risks specified from time to time in notifications to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Escalade. Escalade’s future financial results may differ materially from management’s expectations set forth herein. Escalade is not required to publish amendments to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.