NATCHEZ — Bad Boy Buggies owner Johnny Dale acknowledged Sunday rumors that the company has been sold have been circulating in the community.

But when asked to confirm or deny the rumors, Dale said he could not comment.

“At this point all I can say is the company is exploring some strategic options,” Dale said.

“There’s a lot of rumors out there, and at some point we will be able to make some comments, but at this stage we cannot make any comments.”

In 2009, the company’s CEO John Skrabo said Bad Boy Buggies employed 60 people.

Skrabo said in 2009 he expected the company to earn $17 million in revenue.

During the company’s peak in 2007, sales reached well above $20 million.

Skrabo said in 2009 Bad Boys Buggies may be the fastest growing business in Mississippi.

Before Skrabo took over as CEO in 2009, the company employed 21 people.

Today, Bad Boy’s principal owners are Dale and Pat Burns, both Miss-Lou businessmen.

The buggies sell from between $7,000 and $13,000 and are sold through approximately 250 dealers in approximately 40 states.

In October 2009, Bad Boy Enterprises issued a voluntary recall of 3,900 Bad Boy Buggies sold between June 2007 and July 2009 because the vehicles may accelerate without warning.

The IRS announced in November 2009 that three Bad Boy Buggy models qualify for a $5,590 tax credit, which was expected to boost sales.

The company was formed in 2003.