Franklin Sports Earns NFHS Seal of Approval for Volleyballs

Certification Expands Reach into the Rapidly Growing Volleyball Market

By Franklin Sports

June 6^th, 2025

Stoughton, Mass. (June 5, 2025) – Franklin Sports, a leading brand in the sporting goods industry, has announced its first-ever certifications from the National Federation of State High School Associations, the national organization that supports and advocates for high school athletics as well as performing arts. As part of this NFHS approval, two of Franklin’s signature volleyballs, the FS Premier 12-Panel Pro Volleyball and the Franklin 9000 Indoor Game Volleyball, can now officially be used in both girls’ and boys’ sanctioned state high school volleyball championships.

“We’re incredibly proud to introduce the FS Premier Volleyball and the Franklin 9000 Indoor Game Volleyball as our first-ever NFHS-approved products,” said Eve Stire, Manager of Brand Partnerships for Franklin Sports. “This milestone represents a significant step forward in our journey within the sport of volleyball and reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of volleyball at every level across the country.”

The NFHS standards for indoor volleyballs include important specifications for weight and circumference, as well as the ball’s construction and coloration of the panels. Additionally, a recent NFHS rule change played a key role in shaping the approval of the FS Premier, as it has a unique design. The rule states that beginning in the 2026-27 school year, state associations may permit the use of non-smooth or textured volleyballs. This change removes restrictions on the texture, color, and shape of the panels for both boys’ and girls’ volleyball, allowing for the adoption of textured volleyballs currently on the market. As a result, Franklin can now introduce both the FS Premier and 9000 Indoor Game Volleyballs to the high school market.

The FS Premier Volleyball features an innovative 12-panel swirl design with surface wave embossment for enhanced touch and control. Its abrasion-resistant microfiber cover ensures durability for elite training and high-level play, while the balanced construction and unique panel layout improve ball tracking and deliver consistent float and spin. Franklin’s pursuit of innovation with this construction of volleyball has led to the FS Premier becoming the official ball of the Volleyball League of America (VLA), as well as its sibling, the REAL Pro Volleyball, being front and center as the exclusive volleyball of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). The NFHS-stamped FS Premier is now in stock and available for purchase online in bulk or individually.

The Franklin 9000 Indoor Game Volleyball features a classic 18-panel design with high-performance composite microfiber for superior touch, durability, and consistency. Its colored panels enhance visibility and tracking, while the high air retention latex bladder ensures long-lasting play. One of the first volleyballs in Franklin’s line, the 9000 Indoor Game Ball is in stock now, with the NFHS-stamped version slated to become available for bulk and individual purchase online this fall.

To learn more about the FS Premier and 9000 Indoor Game Volleyballs, visit www.franklinsports.com.

Franklin Sports Earns NFHS Seal of Approval for Volleyballs

About Franklin Sports

Founded by Irving Franklin in 1946, Franklin Sports is a Stoughton, Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells over 10,000 products across many different categories. Franklin Sports is proud of its partnerships with Hasbro, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, The National Basketball Association, The National Football League, The National Hockey League, The Pro Volleyball Federation, USA Pickleball, Women’s National Basketball Association, Women’s National Soccer League and many others. Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned business with a rich history and trusted reputation as a quality sporting goods brand – from recreational sports all the way up to the professional level. At Franklin Sports, the team believes that sports make life better. For more information on Franklin Sports, please visit www.franklinsports.com or follow Franklin on Instagram @franklinsports, @franklinsportseqp, and @franklinpickleball, Facebook, and X @franklinsports.