NAICS 339920 Quarterly Industry Report
Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 339920Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value provides this NAICS 339920 industry profile using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Manufactures[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data[6], and SBA size standard tables[7]. Our research team cross-references trade association data from sporting goods industry groups to verify production trends and market conditions. This report receives quarterly updates reflecting workforce changes, trade flow patterns, and manufacturing activity in the sporting goods sector.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the sporting and athletic goods manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (NAICS 339920) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing sporting and athletic goods, except apparel and footwear. Products range from golf clubs, baseball bats, and tennis rackets to exercise machines, fishing tackle, and billiard equipment. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies this industry within miscellaneous manufacturing, excluding athletic clothing and shoe production.
Manufacturers in this sector serve distinct market segments: team sports equipment, individual fitness products, outdoor recreation gear, and institutional athletic facility outfitting. Production methods vary considerably by product line. Golf club forging requires precision metal casting and CNC machining. Composite material layup dominates racket and bat production. Injection molding produces protective gear shells, while textile-based processes create padding and soft goods. Many firms specialize in a single sport category rather than producing across multiple product lines. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] tracks manufacturing employment within the miscellaneous manufacturing subsector.
Under SBA size standards[7], NAICS 339920 carries a threshold of 750 employees. Import competition from Asian manufacturing hubs puts steady pressure on domestic producers, particularly in lower-priced commodity product categories. American manufacturers retain strength in premium, performance-oriented segments where brand reputation and advanced materials science command higher margins. Custom team equipment programs and direct-to-consumer sales models give smaller domestic producers viable market positions against larger international competitors.
What's Included in This Industry
- Golf club, ball, and accessory manufacturing
- Baseball and softball bat and glove production
- Tennis, racquetball, and badminton racket manufacturing
- Exercise and fitness equipment production (treadmills, weights, machines)
- Fishing rod, reel, and tackle manufacturing
- Billiard and pool table manufacturing
- Archery equipment and arrow production
- Protective athletic gear manufacturing (helmets, pads, guards)
- Ski and snowboard equipment production
- Playground and gymnasium equipment manufacturing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339 |
| Industry Group | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3399 |
| NAICS Industry | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing | 33992 |
| National Industry | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing | 339920 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | Jewelry and silverware manufacturing shares the miscellaneous manufacturing classification and similar small-batch consumer goods production characteristics |
| 339930 | Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing | Doll, toy, and game manufacturing falls within the same miscellaneous manufacturing subsector and targets overlapping recreational consumer markets |
| 339940 | Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing | Office supplies manufacturing shares the miscellaneous manufacturing classification and uses similar injection molding and assembly production methods |
| 423910 | Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | Sporting and recreational goods merchant wholesalers serve as the primary distribution channel between manufacturers and retail sporting goods stores |
| 455110 | Department Stores | Sporting goods stores represent the downstream retail channel purchasing finished equipment directly from domestic and international manufacturers |
| 336991 | Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing | Motorcycle and bicycle manufacturing shares metalworking and assembly processes with sporting goods producers making frames and structural components |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 14.4% | 241 |
| 2 | Florida | 6.9% | 116 |
| 3 | Texas | 5.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Michigan | 3.9% | 65 |
| 5 | Washington | 3.8% | 64 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 61 |
| 7 | New York | 3.4% | 56 |
| 8 | Colorado | 3.2% | 54 |
| 9 | Oregon | 3.2% | 53 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 3.2% | 53 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
344
Total SBA Loans
$167.1M
Total Loan Volume
$486K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.20%
Average Interest Rate
3,640
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] assigns NAICS 339920 a size standard of 750 employees. Most sporting goods manufacturers operate well below this ceiling as specialized producers focusing on a single sport or product category. Qualifying firms access 7(a) loans for production equipment, inventory financing, and working capital. The 504 loan program supports facility acquisition for manufacturers expanding production lines or adding advanced composite material processing capabilities.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Horizon Bank | 16 | $35.1M | $2.2M |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 48 | $34.1M | $710K |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 48 | $25.9M | $541K |
| 4 | Field & Main Bank | 16 | $16.8M | $1.1M |
| 5 | Capital Community Bank | 16 | $12.8M | $800K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 339920?
NAICS 339920 covers manufacturers of sporting and athletic goods excluding apparel and footwear. This includes producers of golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis rackets, exercise equipment, fishing tackle, billiard tables, archery gear, ski equipment, protective athletic gear, and playground equipment. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies these producers within miscellaneous manufacturing.
How is sporting goods manufacturing structured?
Manufacturers typically specialize in a single sport or product category rather than producing across multiple lines. Production methods vary widely: metal casting for golf clubs, composite layup for rackets, injection molding for protective gear, and precision machining for fitness equipment. Large firms often maintain multiple brand lines while smaller producers focus on premium niche segments.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 339920?
The SBA sets the size standard at 750 employees for sporting and athletic goods manufacturing. Most firms in this industry operate below that threshold as specialized producers. The SBA size standard table[7] applies this employee count for small business certification and federal contracting eligibility.
What NAICS codes are related to sporting goods manufacturing?
Related manufacturing codes include 339910 (jewelry and silverware), 339930 (doll, toy, and game manufacturing), and 339940 (office supplies manufacturing). Distribution code 423910 covers sporting goods merchant wholesalers. Retail code 459110 covers sporting goods stores. The Census Bureau[5] groups this industry within miscellaneous manufacturing.
What industries are closely related to sporting goods manufacturing?
Toy and game manufacturers (339930) share the miscellaneous manufacturing subsector. Sporting goods wholesalers (423910) and retailers (459110) form the distribution and sales chain. Plastics manufacturers (326199) supply molded components. Textile bag mills (314910) produce carrying cases and equipment bags for sporting goods products.
What activities are included in NAICS 339920?
Covered activities include manufacturing golf equipment, bats, rackets, exercise machines, fishing tackle, billiard equipment, archery products, protective athletic gear, ski and snowboard equipment, and playground apparatus. Athletic apparel and footwear are specifically excluded. The Census Bureau[5] provides the complete list of included product categories.
Can sporting goods manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, manufacturers with 750 or fewer employees qualify as small businesses under SBA guidelines[7]. The 7(a) loan program supports equipment purchases, inventory financing, and working capital needs. Industry 504 program covers facility acquisitions and production line expansions. Federal contracting set-asides apply to qualifying manufacturers supplying military and institutional athletic programs.
Where is sporting goods manufacturing concentrated in the United States?
Production clusters in states with strong manufacturing infrastructure and access to raw material suppliers. California, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Tennessee host notable concentrations of sporting goods plants. Proximity to testing facilities and professional sports markets influences location decisions for performance equipment makers. The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns[9] tracks establishment counts by state for this industry.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Manufactures census.gov
- [9]Census Bureau's County Business Patterns census.gov
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