There are more than 4.8 million “picklers” in the U.S., according to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association — devotees of the pickleball pastime often described as a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong and badminton.
It even claims the title of America’s fastest-growing sport, with a 40% jump between 2019 and 2020, per the report. And though all ages are getting in on it, more than half (52%) of players participating eight or more times a year are 55 or older, with nearly a third (32.7%) 65 or older.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, amassing legions of recreational players across diverse ages. But it’s also a professional sport that top-tier athletes rely on for a paycheck.
If they play their shots right, the best players can take home more than $1 million a year through a combination of appearance fees, prize money and sponsorship deals.
However, these top earners are largely the exception rather than the rule. Most players earn far less, with some up-and-comers in the sport holding full-time day jobs and competing for prize money on weekends.
“Like anything else, if you’re talented and you work hard, not just at your craft on the pickleball court but also off it, you can make a really nice living,” said Josh Freedman, director of pickleball at Topnotch Management, an agency representing professional pickleball, tennis and soccer players.
“The economics are much, much smaller for others who are just getting into the sport,” he added. “They’re taking sponsorship deals for $500 or $1,000 to be an ambassador of some brand.”
That said, given the newness of the professional pickleball landscape, it could become more lucrative for players over time as the sport attracts more attention from fans, investors and sponsors.
$5 million pot
Three primary components comprise pickleball player earnings: Tournament prize money, appearance fees or contract minimums, and sponsorship deals.
Major League Pickleball, a team-based league and one of three professional pickleball tours, projects that 2023 prize money, distributed across six events, will total $5 million. Ninety-six players compete on the tour, which has hosted three events so far this year.
The highest-earning player won $125,000 in prize money during the first three events of 2023, a tour spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. League players sign contracts that guarantee they’ll make money for showing up, even if they don’t perform well in every event.
In the best-case scenario, a player could make $300,000 in a year from appearance fees, so-called contract minimums and tournament winnings, according to MLP.
MLP matches, which take place throughout the year, are scheduled Thursday through Sunday. Some professionals compete full time and rely solely on pickleball-related earnings to make a living, while others hold second jobs during the week and travel to tournaments on weekends.
Average payouts shy of six figures
Pros who compete in the league can also compete for prize money in Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Association of Pickleball Players (APP) events.
The PPA Tour will distribute $5.5 million in prize money to players in 2023, spread across 25 events. That sum reflects an 83% increase in payouts from 2022.
In 2022, the average PPA pro earned $96,000 in payouts, according to the league.
Many pro players compete on both tours, boosting their earnings.
Freedman, who represents pickleball pros, said he expects tournament pots to increase dramatically as the sport gains more visibility and big brands look to be a part of the craze. Brands such as Monster Energy, Sketchers, Fila and more are already active in the arena.
While some players have inked lucrative deals with such companies, and opportunities abound in the fast-growing sport, it’s not an easy way to make a living.
“It’s important if you’re going to get into this, it’s really hard, but once you work hard and you get results, it can be a really nice way to live,” Freedman said.
Over the past few years, and particularly over the past 12 months, a once little-known sport called pickleball has exploded in popularity, gaining new players from diverse populations and age groups across the United States.
But with its broad new fan base have come some growing pains for the game, such as players competing for limited recreational space in cities and noise complaints from residents living close to courts.
No “physical prowess” required
While it’s only recently come to the forefront of pop culture, pickleball has existed for more than 50 years, according to Carl Schmits of USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body in the U.S.
One reason why so many people have joined the pickleball craze: It’s easier to learn compared to sports like tennis, golf and squash.
Played on a badminton-sized court with a net that’s slightly lower than a tennis net, with a plastic ball and solid paddles, pickleball combines elements of other racquet and paddle sports like tennis, badminton and pingpong.
Fourteen new pickleball courts open at Wollman Rink at the Central Park in New York City, United States on April 10, 2023.
Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“I think one of the reasons why it’s become so popular is because it’s got a very low barrier to entry,” Schmits told CBS News. “It doesn’t take a lot of physical prowess to get started. You can play it at your own pace regardless of your fitness level,” he added.
It’s also a “social” sport, and a way to build community, Schmits noted.
“Like sweaty chess”
Pickleball and community organizations are working to build new courts to meet the sudden rise in demand.
In New York, CityPickle, which calls pickleball “a sport for everyone,” recently installed 14 courts at Manhattan’s Wollman Rink in Central Park, making it one of the largest pickleball arenas in the country.
The sport requires mental focus and agility as well, once players learn the basic rules of the game.
“There are layers of strategy to the sport,” Schmits said. “It becomes a little bit like sweaty chess.”
Pro athletes take notice
Big names in sports have either tried their hand at the game or invested in teams and leagues, further raising its profile.
Michael Chang and John McEnroe at the Inaugural 2023 Pickleball Slam at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on April 2nd, 2023.
/ Getty Images
Basketball phenom LeBron James, Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and tennis hall-of-famer Kim Clijsters have all invested in the sport.
And tennis legends John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang recently traded their rackets for paddles to compete for a $1 million prize in an exhibition match in Las Vegas.
Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick at the Inaugural 2023 Pickleball Slam at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on April 2nd, 2023.
/ Getty Images
“The last 12 months have been staggering in terms of the number of names that have come into the sport,” Schmits said.
Competing for courts
In New York City, community boards have taken up complaints from parents of school children who say their youngsters now compete for public park space with pickleball players. In Florida, Colorado and elsewhere, residents who live near courts have complained about noise, calling the thwacking sound paddles make when they whack the ball — which measures at around 70 decibels — a nuisance.
Schmits said the ideal solution is to create “purpose-built facilities” designed exclusively for pickleball to serve fans. Other solutions include expanding existing facilities and converting or rehabbing underused tennis and basketball courts for pickleball, he said.
Up next for USA Pickleball is the launching of programs to recruit youth to the sport.
“For children, we believe there’s a number of new programs that we’re launching that will continue to feed the lower demographic age groups and continue the sport’s growth over time,” Schmits said.
The state-of-the-art pickleball video and coaching platform was created to be the most extensive online resource for America’s fastest-growing sport.
Press Release –
Feb 21, 2023 16:00 EST
ENCINITAS, Calif., February 21, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Total Sports, LLC, recently announced the launch of The Art of Pickleball (AOP), designed to be the most expansive resource for pickleball players and instructors in the world.
Created in partnership with top professional players and coaches, The Art of Pickleball provides comprehensive online instruction and virtual coaching for every aspect of the game.
Subscribers can access instructional videos for all levels of play to work on specific shots and skills, learn in-game strategies, develop tactics and view drills from top pros. The platform features extensive information on injury prevention, dynamic warmups and strength and conditioning – all specific to pickleball.
AOP also offers a complete library of practice plans and match analysis as well as a roster of coaches available for remote, virtual training that can be purchased in one-hour sessions.
The site features both free content and monthly or annual “Pro” memberships that provide access to all resources on the platform. Pro memberships are available for $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually for a limited time.
Total Sports partnered with top-ranked pros Steve, Jennifer and Callan Dawson to build The Art of Pickleball. The site features experienced pros and coaches from around the country who have won more than 80 Open, National and International championships, multiple Triple Crown Titles and over 10 Tournament of Champions trophies. The coaching team features multiple PPA and APP Tour players who are also IPTPA, PPR and IFP-certified instructors.
AOP’s vast roster of coaches allows for instruction from a wide variety of teaching viewpoints and playing philosophies.
“Pickleball is such a diverse sport in terms of age, skill level and style,” says renowned coach Steve Dawson. “We set out to create something that wasn’t previously available: a resource where people can learn from all types of instructors and experienced professionals. There isn’t just one way to learn how to play or teach pickleball.”
Mark Tilson, President of Total Sports, says The Art of Pickleball will continue to expand. “We are already working with more coaches around the country that will soon be featured on the site,” he says. “New content and resources will continuously be added, and we’ll always be looking for innovative ways to connect our audience with the top names in the game.”
About Total Sports
Founded in 2011, Total Sports, LLC owns and operates The Art of Coaching properties, including The Art of Pickleball, The Art of Coaching Volleyball, The Art of Coaching Softball and The Art of Coaching Football. The Art of Coaching is the leading provider of online coaching and training resources, with in-person and virtual coaching clinics and workshops in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. The company is the global leader in digital coaching content, supporting nearly 100,000 subscribers worldwide.
Former tennis stars John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang are heading back to the courts this April to battle it out for a $1 million prize — but this time, they’ll be playing a different sport.
The tennis legends will be swapping their rackets for paddles at the Inaugural Pickleball Slam on April 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the event’s organizers, Horizon Sports and Experiences, announced.
“We look forward to bringing together four of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition, which heralds a new milestone for the fastest growing sport in America,” said David Levy, co-CEO of Horizon Sports and Experiences.
The Slam organizers have joined in a multi-year, five-event partnership with Hard Rock, as pickleball continues to gain popularity with more than 4.8 million active players across the U.S.
“Pickleball is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon — experiencing a meteoric rise across genders, age groups, geographies, and income levels,” Levy said.
The tournament will feature two legends’ single matches — Roddick versus Chang and McEnroe versus Agassi. Then, the legends will play once again in a final doubles match — McEnroe and Chang versus Roddick and Agassi — to determine the split of the $1 million prize.
The competition is likely to be fierce as each former tennis player has a pretty impressive track record. McEnroe is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and Agassi is an eight-time Grand Slam champion. Roddick was ranked number one in the world and is a one time Grand Slam champion, and Chang became the youngest man in history to win a tennis major when he won the 1989 French Open at just 17.
The Slam will also give amateur pickleball players an opportunity to compete in a challenge on March 31 and April 1. Up to 96 doubles teams will compete on a first-come-first-serve basis for a $10,000 prize, in addition to the chance to play two of the tennis legends before their televised matches on April 2.
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Former tennis stars Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang are heading back to the courts this April to battle it out for a $1 million prize — but this time, they’ll be playing a different sport.
The tennis legends will be swapping their rackets for paddles at the Inaugural Pickleball Slam on April 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the event’s organizers, Horizon Sports and Experiences, announced.
“We look forward to bringing together four of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking competition, which heralds a new milestone for the fastest growing sport in America,” said David Levy, co-CEO of Horizon Sports and Experiences.
The Slam organizers have joined in a multi-year, five-event partnership with Hard Rock, as pickleball continues to gain popularity with more than 4.8 million active players across the U.S.
“Pickleball is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon — experiencing a meteoric rise across genders, age groups, geographies, and income levels,” Levy said.
The tournament will feature two legends’ single matches — Roddick versus Chang and McEnroe versus Agassi. Then, the legends will play once again in a final doubles match — McEnroe and Chang versus Roddick and Agassi — to determine the split of the $1 million prize.
The competition is likely to be fierce as each former tennis player has a pretty impressive track record. McEnroe is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and Agassi is an eight-time Grand Slam champion. Roddick was ranked number one in the world and is a one time Grand Slam champion, and Chang became the youngest man in history to win a tennis major when he won the 1989 French Open at just 17.
The Slam will also give amateur pickleball players an opportunity to compete in a challenge on March 31 and April 1. Up to 96 doubles teams will compete on a first-come-first-serve basis for a $10,000 prize, in addition to the chance to play two of the tennis legends before their televised matches on April 2.
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Create your free account or log in for more features.
With over 40 types of paddles available and selling over 300,000 rackets per year, Niupipo is customers’ go-to brand for everything Pickleball related.
Press Release –
Dec 16, 2022 09:00 EST
NEW YORK, December 16, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Niupipo has been in the pickleball business since 2012 and has become the No.1 pickleball brand on Amazon.com with over 300,000 rackets being sold worldwide every year.
“For the novice, for the pro, for everyone”: Niupipo’s brand slogan perfectly summarizes exactly what the brand stands for. Over the years, more and more people have become obsessed with pickleball; even a crossover of players from other sports are now into the sport. One of the reasons is that pickleball is a less strenuous and injury-prone game that has the same fundamentals and enjoyment for everyone. And Niupipo keeps adapting advanced technology and excellent materials to produce easier-to-control paddles for every player.
Having cooperated with a large number of professional pickleball athletes like Frank Anthony Davis, Niupipo not only provides athletes with more suitable game rackets to help them get better results but also deeply understands and studies athletes’ swinging habits.
Niupipo’s bestselling paddle sets are the Niupipo Fiberglass Paddle Set and Niupipo Explorer Pro Graphite Paddle. The similar features are:
· Premium Grip and Perfect Handle Size – Perforated, sweat-absorbent, and cushioned paddles to allow for a better grip and more comfortable hold. · Less Weight and Stress – Noticeably lighter than most standard rackets, allowing for long-time play and producing less strain and injuries.
Here’s a further breakdown of each paddle.
Niupipo Fiberglass Paddle Set: · USAPA Approved Rackets – Niupipo’s fiberglass rackets and equipment have passed USA Pickleball Association testing approved for sanctioned tournament play. · More Power and Less Noise – The racket face is made with fiberglass, making it slightly more powerful than a graphite face, and the polypropylene-honeycomb composition offers ideal strength and stiffness. · 2 Sets to Choose From – 2 Paddles Set includes: 2 rackets, 4 balls, and 1 pickleball bag, awesome for pros and beginners. 4 Paddles Set includes: 4 rackets, 4 balls, 4 replacement grips, and 1 pickleball bag, ideal for a game of doubles. · Black/Grey Color Set to Choose From
Niupipo Explorer Pro Graphite Paddle: · USA Approved Pickleball Paddles – The pickleball paddle is made to meet USA standards in core material, surface, size, weight, bounce, hardness, and design. An excellent choice for World Pickleball Championship, APP Tour, PPA Tour, etc. · Added Grit for Extra Pop and Spin – The racket features a graphite and grit face, keeping the ball on the racket a split second longer for greater control and increasing spin and ball “rolls”. · Offers More Control and Power – Made with a polypropylene honeycomb core, the paddle offers greater durability, control and increased power and can withstand a heavy beating.
Over the past four years, pickleball has suddenly become the fastest growing sport in America, with nearly five million people playing the game. CBS News correspondent Dana Jacobson takes a look at why the sport has gained recent national attention.
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SARASOTA, Fla., August 3, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– The Pickleball Club (TPC), a premier, world-class, indoor pickleball facility and private membership club opening in Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch this winter, is celebrating National Pickleball Day on Aug. 8 with portable pickleball set donations and demonstrations in multiple locations throughout Sarasota.
To celebrate National Pickleball Day on Monday, Aug. 8, TPC team members will be donating a portable pickleball set and doing a demonstration for firefighters at the Venice Fire Department located at 112 Harbor Drive South in Venice, Fla. between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The team will also be doing a demonstration and wellness session for visitors to Senior Friendship Centers of Sarasota at 1888 Brother Geenen Way between noon and 1 p.m. Media is welcome to attend both events.
“Pickleball is a great way to keep your mind and body in shape at any age,” said Erin McLeod, president and CEO of Senior Friendship Centers. “We’re excited to have more opportunities in town for engaging and connecting active older adults.”
The Play For Life Foundation has donated and delivered 10 portable pickleball sets to several locations throughout the region, including two North Port Fire Rescue Stations, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, Resilient Retreat – Sarasota, New Gate Montessori School, Sarasota Military Academy High School and Preparatory School, West Manatee Fire Station No. 3, North River Fire Station No. 1 and East Manatee Fire Department.
“Giving back to the community is extremely important to the entire executive team at TPC,” said Brian McCarthy, founder and CEO of The Pickleball Club. “As a veteran myself, I know the importance of finding a physical fitness sport that is fun, relaxing, and social. Seeing people of all ages enjoy this wonderful sport and learning it for the first time is extremely rewarding.”
McCarthy and his wife founded TPC in 2019 with co-founder Matt Gordon. McCarthy has developed more than half a billion dollars of commercial real estate during his career and is a combat disabled veteran. He served from Vietnam to Desert Storm as a surface warfare officer and logistician in the United States Navy and retired after 30 years of service at the rank of Rear Admiral. McCarthy was personally decorated 10 times during his career.
The Pickleball Club provides a private experience for members with outstanding amenities and opportunities for social and recreational enjoyment in an air-conditioned state-of-the-art sports facility. Its philanthropic arm, the Play For Life Foundation, has a mission of introducing the sport of pickleball to youth, veterans and first responders. Each qualified organization is granted a Club-N-Box, containing nets, paddles, balls, and instructional material on how to play, and set up a court.
SAN DIEGO, July 14, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Knockaround announced today an agreement with Major League Pickleball (MLP), an elite, team-based professional pickleball league, to be the Official Sunglasses of MLP.
As part of Knockaround’s multi-year sponsorship, the brand will immerse itself at all MLP events, including through on-site activation spaces, signage and hospitality opportunities, as well as promotion on social media and MLP livestream productions.
“I am beyond excited that Knockaround is partnering with Major League Pickleball,” said Adam Moyer, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Knockaround. “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and it’s clear to me why—it’s fun, full of energy, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Those ideals align perfectly with what Knockaround is all about and MLP has packaged them wonderfully.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Knockaround to the MLP family,” said MLP President Brooks Wiley. “Their dedication to fun, creativity and excitement is the perfect fit for what MLP is all about. We look forward to working with Knockaround to showcase our two exciting brands.”
At MLP’s first event of the season in Austin, Texas, team BLQK defended their title as MLP Champions and became the first and only back-to-back winners in league history. MLP will continue its 2022 season with events in Newport Beach, Calif. (August 5-7), and Columbus, Ohio (October 14-16), giving its 12 teams two more shots at taking home the Pritchard Cup and $100,000. MLP offers the largest prize purse in professional pickleball at $319,000 per event.
About Major League Pickleball
Major League Pickleball is the first-of-its-kind professional team league in the United States, consisting of 12 teams representing the highest level of professional pickleball. Led by Founder & CEO Steve Kuhn, MLP is committed to making an impact in the communities throughout the country, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of pickleball’s business, marketing and community relations. As the standard-bearer for the fastest-growing sport in the United States, MLP delivers the highest-quality and most exciting experience in pickleball. With 12 iconic team owners, a co-ed team format, an innovative draft, easy to understand scoring, groundbreaking broadcast quality and the highest prize money events in pro Pickleball, MLP’s goal is to elevate and grow the sport in everything it does. With the continued success of MLP network and digital platforms, MLP finds innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s new favorite national pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit MajorLeaguePickleball.net and follow Major League Pickleball on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube.
About Knockaround
Knockaround is the original, affordable sunglasses company from San Diego, founded by Adam “Ace” Moyer in 2005. Centered around durable shades that are both practical and stylish, Knockaround provides high-quality sunglasses that won’t break the bank. Knockaround has grown to offer numerous different frame styles in a wide range of colors as well as ongoing Limited Edition special releases, collaborations, and an interactive “design your own” custom sunglasses shop. Knockaround Sunglasses have been featured in GQ, US Weekly, and The Today Show, and have been worn by countless celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, John Mayer, Natalie Portman, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend. For more information, visit Knockaround.com or follow (@knockaround) on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
