Escalade (ESCA) CEO Patrick Griffin reports 2.83M-share, 20.6% stake

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Patrick J. Griffin, President & CEO of Escalade Inc, filed a Schedule 13D reporting beneficial ownership of 2,826,733.858 shares of common stock, or 20.64% of the class, based on 13,696,311 shares outstanding as of February 18, 2026. He owns 580,455.229 shares directly and may be deemed to beneficially own additional shares held by a family limited partnership, family members and related trusts, while disclaiming such ownership beyond his pecuniary interest. Recent increases came from shares received in lieu of cash incentive bonuses and from vesting of Restricted Stock Units under the company’s 2017 Incentive Plan.

Key Figures

Beneficial ownership: 2,826,733.858 shares Ownership percentage: 20.64% Shares outstanding: 13,696,311 shares +5 more

8 metrics

Beneficial ownership 2,826,733.858 shares Total Escalade common shares beneficially owned by Patrick J. Griffin

Ownership percentage 20.64% Portion of Escalade common stock class beneficially owned

Shares outstanding 13,696,311 shares Escalade common stock outstanding as of February 18, 2026

Direct holdings 580,455.229 shares Escalade shares owned directly by Patrick J. Griffin

Family limited partnership 1,326,736 shares Shares owned by a family limited partnership attributed to Griffin

Irrevocable trust holdings 614,964.629 shares Shares in irrevocable trust previously owned by Griffin’s late father

Bonus share grant 11,263 shares at $14.40 Shares received February 27, 2026 in lieu of annual cash bonus

Recent RSU vesting 5,790 shares Shares from RSU vesting on March 3, March 11 and April 3, 2026

Key Terms

Schedule 13D, beneficial ownership, Restricted Stock Units, family limited partnership, +2 more

6 terms

Schedule 13D regulatory

"Accordingly, Mr. Griffin is filing this pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (a)."

A Schedule 13D is a legal document that investors file with regulators when they buy a large enough stake in a company to potentially influence its management or decisions. It provides details about the investor’s intention, ownership stake, and plans, helping other investors understand who is gaining control and what their motives might be.

beneficial ownership financial

"Mr. Griffin may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of 2,826,733.858 shares of common stock"

Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.

Restricted Stock Units financial

"shares upon vesting of previously granted Restricted Stock Units issued to Mr. Griffin"

Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.

family limited partnership financial

"1,326,736 shares owned by a family limited partnership"

UTMA custodian financial

"1,289 shares held as UTMA custodian for his adult daughter"

pecuniary interest financial

"Mr. Griffin disclaims such deemed beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein."

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

ESCALADE INC

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

(CUSIP Number)

H. Samuel Lind
Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 1800
Cincinnati, OH, 45202
(513) 629-2756

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

12/31/2024

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

schemaVersion:

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No.

1

Name of reporting person

Patrick J Griffin

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

SEC use only

4

Source of funds (See Instructions)

OO

5

Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

6

Citizenship or place of organization

UNITED STATES

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

7	Sole Voting Power 580,455.23
8	Shared Voting Power 2,246,278.63
9	Sole Dispositive Power 580,455.23
10	Shared Dispositive Power 2,246,278.63

11

Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

2,826,733.86

12

Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

13

Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

20.6 %

14

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IN

SCHEDULE 13D

Item 1.	Security and Issuer
(a)	Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock
(b)	Name of Issuer: ESCALADE INC
(c)	Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 817 MAXWELL AVE, EVANSVILLE, INDIANA , 47711.
Item 1 Comment: This Schedule 13D updates and supersedes the Schedule 13G amendment filed on February 14, 2025 by the reporting person, Patrick J. Griffin. Pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (f), Mr. Griffin may no longer qualify to file on Schedule 13G. Accordingly, Mr. Griffin is filing this Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (a).
Item 2.	Identity and Background
(a)	This Schedule 13D is being filed by Patrick J. Griffin.
(b)	Mr. Griffin's principal business address is 817 Maxwell Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711.
(c)	Mr. Griffin is the President & CEO of the issuer with a business address of 817 Maxwell Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711.
(d)	Mr. Griffin has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) during the last five years.
(e)	During the last five years, Mr. Griffin has not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f)	U.S.A.
Item 3.	Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
	Mr. Griffin previously reported his beneficial ownership of equity securities of the issuer on Schedule 13G and several amendments thereto (collectively, the "Schedule 13G Filings") pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (c). His most recent amendment was filed on February 14, 2025. Since the date of that filing, Mr. Griffin has acquired an additional 19,528 shares from the issuer in lieu of annual cash incentive bonus payments payable to the reporting person for services as an officer and an additional 11,407 shares upon vesting of previously granted Restricted Stock Units issued to Mr. Griffin pursuant to the Escalade, Incorporated 2017 Incentive Plan for services as an officer of the issuer. All such acquisitions were previously reported by Mr. Griffin in timely filings made pursuant to Rule 16a-3. Mr. Griffin's beneficial ownership has also been reported in the issuer's annual proxy statements, most recently filed on March 27, 2026.
Item 4.	Purpose of Transaction
	Mr. Griffin has acquired his direct equity interests in the issuer through open market purchases using his own cash, as compensation for his services as an officer of the issuer, and as gifts from his family members. Except for those acquisitions described above in Item 3 which have occurred since February 14, 2025, all such ownership interests were previously disclosed in Mr. Griffin's Schedule 13G Filings. As described in Section 5 below, he also may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of shares owned 1) by his adult son, 2) as UTMA custodian for his adult daughter, 3) as trustee of a revocable trust owned by his mother, 4) as trustee of an irrevocable trust previously owned by his late father, and 5) by a family limited partnership. Mr. Griffin disclaims all such deemed beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Griffin is the President & CEO of the issuer and serves on its board of directors and, as a result, may take action with respect to matters related to items (a) through (j) of this Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Mr. Griffin also has previously purchased shares of the issuer's stock from time to time for investment purposes and may do so in the future. Except in connection with his role as an executive officer and director of the issuer and for potential acquisitions for investment purposes based upon market conditions and other factors, Mr. Griffin has no current intention, plan or proposal with respect to items (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.
Item 5.	Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a)	Mr. Griffin may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of 2,826,733.858 shares of common stock comprising 20.64% of such class based on 13,696,311 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 18, 2026 as reported in the issuer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Of these shares, Mr. Griffin owns 580,455.229 shares directly and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of 1,326,736 shares owned by a family limited partnership, 3,289 shares owned by his adult son, 1,289 shares held as UTMA custodian for his adult daughter, 614,964.629 shares held in an irrevocable trust (previously owned by his late father) and 300,000 shares held in a revocable trust owned by his mother. Mr. Griffin disclaims such deemed beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(b)	Incorporated by reference to Items 7-10 of the Cover Page hereof as well as the response to Item 5(a) above.
(c)	Mr. Griffin has acquired shares of common stock in the last 60 days from the issuer. On February 27, 2026, Mr. Griffin acquired 11,263 shares from the issuer in lieu of an annual cash incentive bonus payment payable to him for services as an officer at a price of $14.40 per share. Mr. Griffin also acquired an additional 5,790 shares upon vesting of previously granted Restricted Stock Units issued to him pursuant to the Escalade, Incorporated 2017 Incentive Plan for his services as an officer of the issuer, which vestings occurred on March 3, 2026, March 11, 2026 and April 3, 2026. These acquisitions have previously been reported by Mr. Griffin in his Rule 16a-3 filings and in the issuer's most recent proxy statement.
(d)	As noted above, Mr. Griffin may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of 1,326,736 shares owned by a family limited partnership, 3,289 shares owned by his adult son, 1,289 shares held as UTMA custodian for his adult daughter, 614,964.629 shares held in an irrevocable trust (previously owned by his late father) and 300,000 shares held in a revocable trust owned by his mother. Mr. Griffin disclaims such deemed beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(e)	Not applicable.
Item 6.	Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer
	As noted above, Mr. Griffin may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of 1,326,736 shares owned by a family limited partnership, 3,289 shares owned by his adult son, 1,289 shares held as UTMA custodian for his adult daughter, 614,964.629 shares held in an irrevocable trust (previously owned by his late father) and 300,000 shares held in a revocable trust owned by his mother. Mr. Griffin disclaims such deemed beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Patrick J Griffin

Signature:	/s/ PATRICK J. GRIFFIN
Name/Title:	Patrick J. Griffin
Date:	04/15/2026

FAQ

What does Patrick J. Griffin’s Schedule 13D filing for ESCA report?

The filing reports that CEO Patrick J. Griffin beneficially owns 2,826,733.858 Escalade common shares, or 20.64% of the class. This reflects his direct and indirect holdings, including family entities and trusts, and updates prior Schedule 13G filings to a Schedule 13D format.

How many Escalade (ESCA) shares does Patrick J. Griffin own directly?

Patrick J. Griffin directly owns 580,455.229 Escalade common shares. The rest of his reported 2,826,733.858-share beneficial stake comes from interests in a family limited partnership, family members’ holdings, and related trusts, over which he disclaims ownership beyond his pecuniary interest.

What percentage of Escalade’s outstanding shares does Griffin’s stake represent?

Griffin’s beneficial ownership represents 20.64% of Escalade’s common stock. This percentage is calculated against 13,696,311 shares outstanding as of February 18, 2026, as reported in the company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

How is Patrick J. Griffin’s Escalade (ESCA) ownership structured?

Griffin holds 580,455.229 shares directly and may be deemed to own 1,326,736 shares via a family limited partnership, plus shares held by his adult children and in family trusts. He disclaims beneficial ownership of these indirect holdings beyond his pecuniary interest.

What recent share awards to Patrick J. Griffin are disclosed for Escalade?

Since his prior amendment, Griffin received 19,528 shares in lieu of cash incentive bonuses and 11,407 shares upon Restricted Stock Unit vesting. He later acquired 11,263 bonus shares at $14.40 and 5,790 additional shares from RSU vesting, all previously reported under Rule 16a-3.

Why did Patrick J. Griffin move from Schedule 13G to Schedule 13D for ESCA?

The filing states that under Rule 13d-1(f), Griffin may no longer qualify to file on Schedule 13G. As a result, he is now reporting his Escalade holdings on Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a), which supersedes his prior Schedule 13G amendment.