Patrick J. Griffin becomes permanent CEO and President at Escalade (ESCA)

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Escalade, Incorporated appointed Patrick J. Griffin as its full-time Chief Executive Officer and President, effective March 5, 2026. He had been serving as interim CEO and President since October 29, 2025.

Griffin has held multiple leadership roles at Escalade since 2002, including Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations and President of former subsidiary Martin Yale Group, and has been a director since August 2012. The company states there are no arrangements or understandings behind his selection, no family relationships with other executives or directors, and no material related-party transactions requiring disclosure. His compensation remains unchanged from the offer letter dated November 10, 2025.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Escalade formalizes its interim CEO as permanent leader with unchanged pay.

Escalade moves Patrick J. Griffin from interim to full-time Chief Executive Officer and President as of March 5, 2026. Because he has been interim CEO since October 2025 and a long-time executive and director, this represents continuity rather than a strategic reset at the top.

The company notes no special arrangements, no family ties with other leaders, and no related-party transactions involving Griffin, which helps reduce governance concerns. His compensation terms remain based on the November 10, 2025 offer letter, indicating no incremental cost from this transition. Future company filings may provide additional detail on his strategic priorities.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 5, 2026

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Indiana

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-6966	13-2739290
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

817 Maxwell Avenue, Evansville, Indiana	47711
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(812) 467-1334

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of Exchange on which registered
Common Stock, No Par Value	ESCA	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company                            ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.                                     ☐

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 5, 2026, the Board of Directors of Escalade, Incorporated (“Escalade” or the “Company) appointed Patrick J. Griffin, as the Company’s full-time Chief Executive Officer and President.

Mr. Griffin, age 56, has served as the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer and President since October 29, 2025. Previously, Mr. Griffin served as the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations and has been a Director since August 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Griffin served as President of Martin Yale Group, a former subsidiary of Escalade. Mr. Griffin has held various other roles at Escalade since 2002.

There are no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which Mr. Griffin was selected for this position and Mr. Griffin has no family relationship with any other executive officer or Director of Escalade. Mr. Griffin also has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

There were no changes to Mr. Griffin’s compensation as described in his previously disclosed offer letter entered into on November 10, 2025, by the Company and Mr. Griffin.

Additional information regarding Mr. Griffin is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and its definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2025.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)         Exhibits

Exhibit	Description
10.1	Offer Letter, dated November 10, 2025, by and between Patrick J. Griffin and Escalade, Incorporated. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on November 12, 2025.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL).

* Previously filed with the original filing of this Current Report on Form 8-K on October 30, 2025

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Escalade, Incorporated has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 6, 2026	ESCALADE, INCORPORATED
	By:	/s/ STEPHEN R. WAWRIN
	Stephen R. Wawrin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What leadership change did Escalade (ESCA) announce on March 5, 2026?

Escalade appointed Patrick J. Griffin as full-time Chief Executive Officer and President effective March 5, 2026. He had been serving as interim CEO and President since October 29, 2025, providing leadership continuity rather than introducing a completely new external chief executive.

What is Patrick J. Griffin’s background at Escalade (ESCA)?

Patrick J. Griffin has worked at Escalade since 2002 in various roles. He previously served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, President of former subsidiary Martin Yale Group, and has been a director since August 2012, giving him extensive familiarity with the company’s operations and governance.

Did Escalade (ESCA) change Patrick J. Griffin’s compensation when naming him CEO?

Escalade did not change Patrick J. Griffin’s compensation when it appointed him full-time CEO and President. His pay continues to be governed by the offer letter dated November 10, 2025, which had already been publicly disclosed and incorporated by reference in prior filings.

Are there any related-party or family relationships involving Escalade (ESCA) CEO Patrick J. Griffin?

Escalade states that Patrick J. Griffin has no family relationship with any executive officer or director and no direct or indirect material interest in transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. This is intended to clarify that no related-party conflicts are reported here.

Where can investors find more information about Escalade (ESCA) CEO Patrick J. Griffin?

Additional information about Patrick J. Griffin appears in Escalade’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in its definitive proxy statement filed on March 28, 2025. These documents provide broader background on his experience and board role.

What exhibits related to Patrick J. Griffin are included with this Escalade (ESCA) filing?

The filing lists an offer letter dated November 10, 2025 between Patrick J. Griffin and Escalade as Exhibit 10.1, incorporated by reference from a prior filing, and a Cover Page Interactive Data File in Inline XBRL format as Exhibit 104, supporting the electronic presentation of the cover information.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 11.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 15.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.3 KB