DOJ: Former Pickleball Rocks owner liable for more than $47 million in debt

INDIANAPOLIS — The former owner of Pickleball Rocks is now liable for more than $47 million in debt.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Rodney Grubbs recently agreed to waive his bankruptcy discharge after an investigation by the department’s U.S. Trustee Program. Because of this, Grubbs will be liable for his debt and “creditors are free to pursue payment from him after the case is closed.”

Grubbs, the former owner of All About Pickleball LLC, an apparel and equipment company that did business as Pickleball Rocks, was found to have swindled investors out of millions of dollars through his company. According to previous reports,

Grubbs was ordered into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February 2024 after he reportedly defaulted on numerous promissory notes.

The release said that Grubbs asked investors to participate in his company, including pickleball players and fans, through promissory notes with “purportedly guaranteed interest rates of 10% or higher.” This led to investors filing an involuntary bankruptcy petition against Grubbs.

Eventually, Grubbs disclosed nearly $1.6 million in assets and more than $47 million in liabilities, the majority of which is the debt owed to investors.

The release said that Grubbs waived his bankruptcy discharge after the investigation when they obtained Grubbs’ personal and business financial records. Officials stated that Grubbs also faces allegations from multiple creditors consistent with a Ponzi scheme.

“The USTP is committed to addressing fraudulent and abusive conduct that threatens the integrity of the bankruptcy system,” said U.S. Trustee Nancy J. Gargula for Region 10, which includes the Southern District of Indiana, in the release. “Our commitment to protecting consumers and those who fall victim to various schemes that come to light in bankruptcy is unwavering.”