EXCLUSIVE: Ollyball Brings Toy of the Year Success to ‘Shark Tank’ for Next Growth Phase — ‘We Own a Category’

If you have kids at home that regularly break things playing sports or throwing a ball around, you might not know about the success of Ollyball yet. An interview with Benzinga highlights the success story of Ollyball and how "Shark Tank" has changed the company.

Creating Ollyball

Like many products that end up on "Shark Tank," Ollyball was one that was created and founded by a parent seeking a solution for an everyday problem.

Ollyball founder Joe Burke created the indoor ball after his daughter was breaking household items with soccer balls and volleyballs used inside.

After 100 failed prototypes, Ollyball was created and secured utility patents for the "KrunchCOR." That technology is key to the ball being able to be used indoors without breaking things.

Weighing less than one ounce, Ollyball moves similar to other sports balls, but the patented technology protects hard throws from breaking televisions or walls.

Ollyball is now the flagship product of VICTURY Sports.

Family Success

Burke created the ball for his daughter and the business has turned into a family affair, evidenced by his 11-year-old son Jameson appearing on the Sept. 30 "Shark Tank" episode alongside him.

Burke’s wife Ellen handled customer support for years and is now the company’s chief operating officer.

"We were a family before we were a company," Burke told Benzinga. "We grew our company in concert with growing our family. Yes, we argue, then we eat dinner. Everyone rows together as a team."

The company was founded with over $100,000 in personal savings from Burke and built up with profits from the business.

"Shark Tank" Success

For a product like Ollyball, "Shark Tank" may not have been a necessity to keep growth, but for Burke it was part of his ten-year plan.

"Shark Tank asked in 2019 and 2022. Too early. In 2010, I wrote a ten-year plan: ‘partner in 2026.’"

When "Shark Tank" called in early 2026, Burke said it was time to go pitch.

Burke and his son entered the tank looking for a $250,000 investment for a 2.5% stake in VICTURY Sports, the company behind Ollyball.

While four Sharks passed on a deal, Burke teamed up with Lori Greiner, who settled on an 8.5% stake in the business for the $250,000.

"Lori and I arm wrestled and landed in between both our ‘good luck numbers’; 8.5 we settled on. Points are cheap. The right partner isn’t!"

Behind the Scenes of "Shark Tank"

"Shark Tank" airs on ABC, a unit of The Walt Disney Co. Now in its 18th season, the show features inventors and entrepreneurs looking for investments in their companies and products.

Burke said he respects the confidentiality of the show and wouldn’t share too many of the behind-the-scenes secrets. He did share that a lot of the pitch and content doesn’t end up in the final cut.

"There is a lot of debate that does make the final airing, but the rally with Mr. O’Leary was awesome; although it didn’t make the final cut," Burke told Benzinga, referring to Shark Kevin O’Leary.

The inventor also wouldn’t name the meanest or nicest Shark, instead saying "the meanest thing in the room was their valuation!"

Burke said those pitching on the show never meet the Sharks ahead of time and they walk into the tank without the theme music playing and stand still for a 30-second stare down.

"The questions come fast and overlap. My son and I did hours of preparation and visualization; he got to experience the sacrifice of success. An hour in the Tank becomes nine minutes."

Ollyball Success

While "Shark Tank" helped Ollyball reach new customers, receive funding and help with future growth, the product has been a success in years past.

The product was named a toy of the year back in 2019 by The Toy Association and over two million Ollyballs have been sold.

Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon and Walmart all sell the product in stores and/or online.

What’s Next for Ollyball

Asked about partnering with Greiner, Burke shared what could help come next.

"Lori knows a hero product. Twelve years got us on the shelf. Lori’s gift is what happens after the shelf: awareness, depth, and style."

That’s good news for Burke, who has a goal of Ollyball becoming the best-selling play ball of all time.

"We have announced a league, making Ollyball a sport and even started developing a Roblox mini game to inspire kids off electronics into full-force indoor play."

Upcoming collaborations for the company include Crayola and FIVB, the international governing body for volleyball. The Ollyball Crayola "Create & Play" will be released for Christmas.

Asked about the potential end game or a future sale of the company, Burke doesn’t sound like he’s ready to stop working anytime soon.

"The end game isn’t the exit. We own a category called full-force indoor play, a ball for every sport, every athlete, and every play pattern."

Burke said receiving letters from parents and hearing stories of kids playing Ollyball in hospitals "continue to bring joy."

Photo: ABC Entertainment