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Ollyball founder Joe Burke received a $250,000 investment offer from Lori Greiner in exchange for an 8.5% stake, according to The Toy Book’s report on the Sept. 30 Shark Tank premiere. The indoor play ball has sold more than 2 million units; the report does not say whether the offer was finalized or provide its terms beyond the amount and equity share.
Investor Lori Greiner offered $250,000 for an 8.5% stake in Ollyball during founder Joe Burke’s appearance on the Sept. 30 season premiere of ABC’s Shark Tank, The Toy Book reported. Burke appeared with his 11-year-old son, Jameson, as the indoor play-ball brand seeks to grow after selling more than 2 million units.
The offer gives the company behind Ollyball a potential source of investment and high-profile exposure. The Toy Book reported that Greiner agreed to invest the money in exchange for the stake. The report does not say whether the offer was completed after filming or whether additional terms were settled, so the on-air proposal should not be treated as a confirmed closed transaction.
Ollyball is made by VICTURY Sports, founded by Burke. The ball is described as a patented, two-piece product weighing less than an ounce and designed for full-force indoor play. According to The Toy Book, the company developed it after Burke’s daughter, Judith, broke something while playing volleyball inside. Burke made more than 100 prototypes before settling on the product design.
The report says Ollyball is stocked in Target stores nationwide and is also sold through Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart.com, Amazon, CAMP and TikTok Shop, as well as retailers in eight countries. Burke’s wife, Ellen, began by managing customer service from the family kitchen and now serves as VICTURY Sports’ chief operating officer, the report said.
What Greiner’s Offer Could Fund
The offer could give VICTURY Sports capital and a prominent investor as it pursues broader distribution and new partnerships. Those possibilities matter because Ollyball already has a reported 2-million-unit sales milestone and a presence across major retail channels, giving the company an established product base to build on.
However, the report provides no financial details about the business, such as revenue, profit, valuation or the cost of expanding production. It is not possible from the available information to judge how much the investment would change the company’s operations. Greiner’s offer is a reported on-air development, not proof that the company has received the funds.
The appearance also puts Burke’s product and its origin story before the program’s audience. Burke said the opportunity let him share the company’s story and receive feedback from the investors. The exposure may support awareness, but the report does not quantify any resulting sales or measure the effect of the broadcast.
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From Indoor Volleyball to Retail
Burke developed Ollyball after his daughter’s indoor volleyball play led to a broken item at home and the familiar objection that ball games did not belong indoors. The Toy Book reported that the product went through more than 100 prototypes before Burke arrived at the lightweight, two-piece design. He initially backed the company with more than $100,000 of his own savings.
The product had received industry recognition before its Shark Tank appearance. The Toy Book said Ollyball won a Toy of the Year award in 2019 from The Toy Association and was named a finalist for Product Launch of the Year in the publication’s second annual Pulse of Play Awards. The report also said VICTURY Sports was lining up collaborations involving Crayola, Balloon Time and FIVB, the international governing body for volleyball; it did not provide launch dates or terms for those projects.
“Going into the Tank with Jameson is something the two of us will never forget.”
— Joe Burke, VICTURY Sports founder, as quoted by The Toy Book
Whether the Investment Closed
The available report identifies Greiner’s proposed investment as $250,000 for an 8.5% stake, but does not confirm whether paperwork was signed or the transaction was finalized after the episode. It also does not disclose other possible deal conditions, such as contingencies, follow-up diligence or changes to the proposed terms.
The scope and timing of the planned Crayola, Balloon Time and FIVB collaborations are also unspecified. The Toy Book reports that they are upcoming, but gives no details on products, availability or how the reported Shark Tank offer might affect those plans.
Deal Terms and Partnerships Ahead
The immediate next step to watch for is confirmation from Burke or VICTURY Sports on whether the proposed Greiner investment closed and whether its terms remained as stated on the show. The source report does not provide a timetable for that confirmation.
Readers can also look for further information about the reported collaborations with Crayola, Balloon Time and FIVB, including what they will involve and when products or initiatives may become available. Until the company or its partners disclose more, their details remain unconfirmed.
Key Questions
How much did Lori Greiner offer Ollyball?
The Toy Book reported that Greiner offered $250,000 in exchange for an 8.5% stake in Ollyball.
Did Ollyball’s Shark Tank deal close?
The source report describes Greiner’s on-air offer but does not confirm whether the investment was finalized or whether its terms changed.
Who founded Ollyball?
Joe Burke founded VICTURY Sports and invented Ollyball, according to The Toy Book. His son Jameson appeared with him on the episode.
Where is Ollyball sold?
The Toy Book says Ollyball is stocked in Target stores nationwide and is available through Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart.com, Amazon, CAMP and TikTok Shop, as well as retailers in eight countries.
What is Ollyball?
Ollyball is a lightweight, patented, two-piece ball designed for indoor play. The Toy Book reports that it weighs less than an ounce and that Burke developed it after more than 100 prototypes.
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