EJ TACKETT is celebrated as the 2023 Professional Bowlers Associaton PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The recent Player of the Year announcement has thrust EJ Tackett into the annals of bowling greatness, marking one of the most mind-blowing seasons in the sport's history! What EJ did this season in 16 tour stops, each one a battleground of intensity at the highest echelon of competition, is hard to fathom. 

Let's dive into the sheer spectacle of EJ's 2023 season: 

Player of the Year Triumph: EJ clinched the PBA Player of the Year title with a jaw-dropping 82.5% of the vote, a whopping 75% higher than any other contender. Even with the phenomenal Anthony Simonsen in the mix, EJ's dominance was undeniable. Also winning Player of the Year in 2016, this was his second Player of the Year award, a feat achieved by only 12 bowling legends in history. 

Points Maestro: EJ didn't just bag the points title; he obliterated records, amassing more points than any player since the inception of the tiered points system on the PBA Tour. He also clinched the Classic Series point championship with two wins during the abbreviated points swing. 

High Average: For the second straight year, Tackett carried the highest average for the PBA Tour season. In a sport where every single pin is critical, EJ averaged over 227, which was two pins better than anyone else on tour. 

Earnings Extraordinaire: EJ wasn't just bowling strikes; he was raking in cash. Leading tour earnings by over $100k, he closed the year at a historic $458,450—the second-highest season total in PBA history and the highest for a player whose highest single check was a cool $100k. 

Major Mic Drop: When the lights shone brightest, EJ outshone them all. At four of the five PBA Tour majors, he stood as the tournament leader. Qualifying? Dominated. EJ was the tournament leader at four of the five PBA Tour Majors. Titles? Two (US Open and World Championship) including a secondplace finish (TOC), and a fifth-place spot (Players Championship). It was major domination at its finest. 

Winning Ways: In just 16 events, EJ clinched victory five times—a feat untouched by any player in the 21st century. Starting strong with wins at the US Open, Shawnee Classic, and Jackson Classic, he didn't ease off the gas pedal, finishing the season with a breathtaking World Series of Bowling, where he had finishes of 1st (World Championship), 1st (Cheetah Championship), 2nd (Scorpion Championship), and 9th (Shark Championship). 

Consistent Brilliance: EJ's not just a flash in the pan. With five top finishes in 16 events, he graced the top three a staggering 10 times. EJ never slipped outside the top 3 for more than two events in a row, a consistency that puts him in a league of his own. To put that into perspective, only eight players cashed as many times in 2023 as EJ Tackett finished in the top 3. 

Legendary Status: In 2023, EJ etched his name in the bowling pantheon. A two-time Player of the Year, the ninth Triple Crown winner in PBA history, the youngest player to 21 titles, and the 13th winningest player of all time (behind Marshall Holman)—Tackett continues to distinguish himself amongst the greatest to ever throw a bowling ball. And did we mention he casually tossed a perfect 300 at the PBA Super Slam semifinal? 

MOTIV is so proud of EJ Tackett and all his accomplishments. We are even more proud to say that every shot that EJ has thrown as a PBA Member on the national tour has been with a MOTIV® bowling ball. Congratulations, EJ, and best of luck in the upcoming 2024 season.

EJ Tackett signs 10-year contract with MOTIV®

Tackett, a 13-time PBA® Tour champion, has been the face of the MOTIV® brand for seven years. The first seven years of EJ’s career are historic, seeing him win Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, compete on Team USA in international competition and at the Weber Cup, and most recently releasing a bowling ball bearing his ExJ brand logo. 

MOTIV® Staff Manager Brett Spangler said, “It is a huge point of pride for me that every shot EJ Tackett has ever thrown as a PBA Tour member has been as a MOTIV® staff player. I could not be happier than I am right now knowing that he is going to be with us for ten more years.” 

This latest contract guarantees that Tackett will be on staff with
MOTIV® through at least the 2030 season. When asked what a ten-year contract with MOTIV® meant to him, EJ responded, “the people at MOTIV® are like family to me. Ten years means I don’t have to worry about anything but going out there and winning for another decade. I love throwing the best balls in the world and representing such amazing people.” 

“EJ’s magazine cover says, ‘I’m the guy, you come get me’. We just responded with ‘Ok, we would love to, here is a contract for ten years…now let’s go set the bowling world on fire together!’”, commented Scott Wilbur, President of MOTIV® Bowling. “Truly it was an easy decision to make. He is a premier athlete, our true friend, and part of the corporate family here at MOTIV®”. 

The MOTIV Revolt Havoc

The announcement for the new MOTIV Revolt™ Havoc: 

“The new MOTIV Revolt™ Havoc is a devastating weapon for medium-heavy oil with the unique ability to read the lane early, yet provide unbelievable continuation. It's a ball motion that seemed impossible...until now.”  

Pretty heady stuff, but their recent High Performance offerings have compared well to the other manufacturers HP balls. Vanquish core from the Revolt series this ball is topped with the Helix coverstock finished to 3000 grit (500/1000/2000). 

Further MOTIV suggests: “Because the Revolt™ Havoc is incredibly strong, it is an obvious fit for speed dominant and low rev players. And because it has the unique ability to still provide tremendous continuation, the ball is also a versatile weapon for competitive bowlers that have higher rev rates. While these players typically experience a weak finish from strong equipment, they will experience outstanding continuation from the Revolt™ Havoc on higher volume patterns.” 

Not much more can be said. World Wide Release Date is October 14th, 2015.

New Ball From MOTIV

The Forza Redline is the new benchmark reaction for MOTIV, more length then the solid Forza yet it still offers more control than the Octane. 

A benchmark ball is one designed for medium oil which is intended to allow you to make adjustments more easily. You want a ball that is in the middle as far as overall hook, overall length and you want a smooth backend reaction. Of course the ball’s versatility will match up well for a variety of league bowlers on a Typical House Shot (THS).

The new Helix Pearl Reactive coverstock finished at 5000 Grit LSP (Laser Scan Polished) gives predictable length. The proven Torx inner core with its 2.50 RG and 0.051 Differential offers just enough strength with high flare and control.

All of these factors give you a ball that will easily allow you to tell if you need a ball with more or less hook, more or less length and more or less angle on the backend.

Release date for the MOTIV Forza Redline is August 26th, 2015.

Here is what MOTIV has to say about the Forza Redline: "Push the limit with the exotic Forza Redline. Engineered for medium oil, it is the ultimate machine for benchmark performance. It provides more length than the solid Forza, yet is still offers more control than the Octane."

MOTIV's New Primal Rage REMIX

The Primal Rage REMIX is here and Ronnie Russell rolled it on the CBS Sports Network in winning the PBA Badger Open! 

The original Primal Rage (#redball) made people take notice of MOTIV bowling ball technology. Engineered for heavy oil, the REMIX provides more length than the Jackal and a very aggressive backend motion. And, of course, it delivers the continuation that you have come to expect from MOTIV.  

MOTIV Unveils Its Latest Ball - Forza

MOTIV FORZA NEW!

The new Helix™ Solid Reactive shell on the Forza™ is formulated to produce the friction required to read the mid-lane incredibly well, yet still display devastating continuation. This Exotic Orange and Steel Gray cover is finished at the factory with a 3000 Grit LSS tread.

Torx™ Weight Block Design - NEW!

The powerful new Torx™ engine driving the the Forza™ yields a 2.50 RG and .051 differential on the 15# model. This spec is new territory for the MOTIV product line.  The Torx design allows the Forza to rev up easily and produce over 5 inches of track flare.

NeoMark™ Badge Technology - NEW!

Patented NeoMark Graphics always give MOTIV® bowling balls a visually compelling look. And now, we are pushing the technology even further with the new Forza. It will be the first MOTIV® ball to feature our latest innovation - The NeoMark Badge.

World Wide Release Date: 12/1/14

MOTIV Introduces The Jackal

MOTIV Jackal The Jackal features a new cover for heavy oil called Turmoil High Friction Pearl (HFP) Reactive. This black and red "power pearl" comes from the factory with a 3000 Grit LSS finish.  Incredibly, it is able to produce strong motion in the oil, yet retain energy for outstanding continuation.  World Wide Release Date: 10/22/14.

MOTIV Adds Tribal Fire to Ball Line

MOTIV announces the new Tribal Fire for fall wrapped in Fusion Hybrid Reactive Coverstock in Red and Orange. The hybrid is finished to 5000 grit (Laser Scan/Polish). The new Tribal Fire core is the Halogen. In 15#, RG is modest at 2.55, while Differential is medium at .037. The  World Wide Release Date is August 27^th, 2014.

MOTIV Fuels Their Ball Line With Octane

MOTIV Octane with new Agility™ SFX Reactive cover stock. The hybrid black and purple pearl cover on the Octane™ is the new Agility™ SFX (Skid Flip Xtreme) Reactive formulation.  This new technology provides outstanding length and an absolutely explosive backend reaction.  Factory finish is 5000 Grit LSS (Laser Scan/Sanded).

MOTIV Has Cruel Intent

MOTIV Cruel Intent is designed for Medium – Heavy conditions with Blue/Green Pearl 4000 Grit Sanded Fusion Pearl Reactive coverstock wrapped around the Sinister Asymmetric core.

 

At the heart of the Cruel Intent™ is the huge Sinister™ core. It harnesses asymmetry to boost track flare and promote proper transition in very low friction environments. MOTIV reports “The Cruel Intent™ is a dominating power pearl for heavy oil. It is the cleanest and most angular asymmetric ball MOTIV™ has ever produced.” World Wide Release Date: 11/8/2013

MOTIV Reveals Their New Red Ball

More details will be released soon, but the "Red Ball" (#redball on twitter) people are talking about from the PBA Summer Swing is the new Primal Rage from MOTIV.  Motiv reports "This is a very special ball with incredible continuation. It is the most angular ball we have EVER made!  It is truly impressive."
 

The Primal Rage coverstock is called Fusion™ Pearl Reactive in Lava Red Pearl finished to 1500 Grit and Polished. The inner core is the Impulse™ V2. # RG: 2.55, Diff: .050

Look for the Motiv Primal Rage on July 18^th, 2013, the World Wide Release Date.

MOTIV Unleashes The Venom Toxin

MOTIV Venom Toxin will hit the lanes March 20^th, 2013. The brilliant Neon Green/Green Pearl cover with Neomark Purple Pearl/Red labeling can be seen for miles.

The Gear™ core is wrapped in the Atomix™ Hybrid Radial Reactive coverstock finished to 2000 grit w/Power Gel® Polish. The new MOTIV Venom Toxin is designed for Light to Medium Oil with a smooth but angular backend reaction. RG: #15/2.48, Diff: #15/.034

MOTIV Unleashes The Thrash Frenzy in February

The new MOTIV Thrash Frenzy features the Quadfire core (used in the QZ2) and wrapped by a Blue/Aqua Pearl Whiplash™ Pearl Reactive cover with Silver/Red Pearl Neomark labeling finished to 2000-grit Wet Sanded then with Power Gel® Polish. World Wide Release Date: 2/6/13.