Actually quite a few companies popped up out of nowhere during that time. Lots of small businesses to do business with the DoD as they get preference on a lot of contracts.
Yeah, there were some weird shit going on with Cheney and some of his old companies at the beginning of the wars. That is actually what led to some of the wild west to all of the small companies popping up. You get a chance, watch the movie "War Dogs". Although it is sort of a comedy, it is based on a true story. It will explain some of what I am talking about. It is these smaller companies that are now shutting their doors.
Pickle ball does seem to be catching on. I guess there is actually a professional league now with investors and everything. So they have ruined it already.