Hello Friends, the Bros are back with some juicy pickleball news and views from around the wide, wide, wide world. The Bros don’t STOP and won’t STOP bringing the biggest and BEST news from our Pickleball World. Buckle up and here we go.
This week we take a look at Ben Johns and his Multi-million dollar salary playing pickleball. We also look at the NPL and PAA partnership announcement, the Pickleball participation rates to exceed Tennis in 2027. And we check out the Worlds first Pickleball Stadium… The Fort.
Let’s Kick it in!
Australian Pickleball News
NPL and PAA Announce Pickleball Partnership
Some news close to home. The NPL (National Pickleball League) has announced a partnership with the Pickleball Australia Association (PAA). With so many organizations and acronyms to remember, the everyday pickleball player may wonder, why should I care? Well, the cool thing about this announcement is that Australian leagues (the NPL and the MLP) are aligned with the PAA, as the peak governing body.
Ultimately, these announcements are better for the sport. A strong Pickleball organization running the show can only help the growth of Pickleball in Australia. Together, they can help reach new players and improve the quality of the tournaments. AND let’s not forget, united Pickleball organizations can only help the goal of getting Pickleball included in the 2032 Olympic Games (Straya!).
Some Great news, read the NPL and PAA announcement via the NPL website.
Global Pickleball News
Ben Johns Makes the Big Bucks (2.5 Million to be exact)
How much is the worlds best pickleball player making this year? The answer is 2.5 Million bucks. That includes his pickleball salary and various endorsement deals. That’s unbelievable amount but Ben Johns has earned his place as the best. He has won 120 PPA titles and 21 triple crowns. Surely, he should be the pro player most Pickleball players would know?
This CNBC article details John’s rise, from making $50,000 in 2018, to his current eye watering salary. And Johns believes that “we haven’t reached the top yet”. The Bros agree with him on that one. And like any young lad with stacks of cash, he drives a Tesla and he invests in Crypto among other things. Ah… the life…
Read Ben Johns Makes Millions per year via CNBC.com
Pickleball Retail Goes Mainstream
To the untrained eye, Pickleball is still seen as a niche sport. But we know the sport is exploding around the world. That is why more big brands have jumped aboard the Pickleball train (Choo-Choo). This can only improve exposure and make the sport more mainstream. This Modern Retail article makes a great point, “There isn’t one big pickleball brand that’s come out.” We don’t have a Lululemon or Wilson for Pickleball…yet. So other big retailers are having a bite of the Pickleball apple.
Lululemon has already gotten involved with partnerships in Pickleball apparel. Target in the US has launched it’s own collection with 80 pickleball related products such as bags and apparel for men and women. All this interest aligns with a prediction from Tennis legend and Pickleball convert Andre Agassi. He recently told CNBC “I think wherever we are now, there’s going to be 10 times the people playing the sport in the next five to seven years”.
Amazing thought, and hopefully that prediction becomes a reality. The two linked articles below are great reads on Pickleball retail.
Read Why Big Retailers like Target and Lululemon are courting pickleball players, via Modern Retail. And Life Time Fitness leans into Pickleball with Lululemon Partnership via CNBC.com
Pickleball Participation to Exceed Tennis by 2027
We all hope that Pickleball will exceed tennis one day, but could that happen? The latest data from a Pickleball Industry newsletter released its 2024 participation data. It shows continued growth at a level that forecasts pickleball participation in the US will overtake tennis by the end of 2027. The data forecasts 30 million Pickleball players in the US by 2028 (currently it is estimated at 4.8 Million players). Some big numbers there.
The key drivers to more people playing is the social nature of the sport. And the addition of thousands of new, dedicated pickleball courts. These are being built by major pickleball franchisors and hundreeds of new independent facilities. Pickleball courts are expected to grow to 95,772 by the end of 2028. These are US numbers, but this is also happening all around the world.
Some exciting numbers in there. Read the press release Pickleball players to exceed tennis players in US by 2027.
World’s First Pickleball Stadium to Open in Fort Lauderdale in 2024
This has to be seen to be believed!
There is a pickleball boom in South Florida. The City of Fort Lauderdale will open a brand new pickleball venue in a 4000 square foot event space with 43 pickleball courts. A Grand Opening will take place sometime in 2024. “The Fort” looks to “elevate the entire pickleball experience” with social areas and places to eat, drink and play.
And the Fort will be ready for a Major Pro tour stop by the APP in December 2024. Just take a look at this place. If you want to plan a pickleball holiday, this would be amazing!
Read the First Pickleball Stadium in Fort Lauderdale via MSN.com or check out “The Fort” website.
Pickleball Minds is the Davos of Pickleball
Pickleball Minds is a group that calls itself “the Davos of Pickleball”. A scary thought calling yourself the “Davos” of anything. Anyway, the Pickleball Minds conference wasn’t actually held in Davos, rather it was in New Jersey – big difference. And various Pickleball companies, confederations and players attended to talk “the business of pickleball.”
Some great insights were uncovered throughout the day. For example, out of the 80k members of Pickleball USA, 98% can’t name a pro player. And there are some great stats on Pickleball in Africa. And the effort required to get all 54 countries of Africa playing pickleball which will help Pickleball get into the Olympics. Some great little factoids in there.
Read some Takeaways from the First Pickleball Minds Conference, via Forbes.com
READ MORE: We answer the question “Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport” with the latest facts from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Pickleball Health
Pickleball Empowers People with Parkinsons
It’s great to see how Pickleball can help people with various health conditions. Especially for those people who are living with Parkinsons. They find it difficult to exercise if they want to slow the progression of the disease. And people late in life with the disease can’t just pick up a new sport while struggling with their health.
Luckily Pickleball is low-impact enough that anyone can play. There are some great insights into people with the Parkinsons. And the positive impact of Pickleball on their health and wellbeing. Pickleball is a great way to encourage any family members with Parkinsons, like the Bros do, to pick up a paddle and help themselves. A great story to share with anyone battling the disease.
Read Pickleball empowers people with Parkinsons via Glendale News press.
Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap. The Bros hope you enjoyed that slice of Pickleball life. It’s all happening with our favorite sport, so while you’re not reading the news, keep playing and feel free to comment below. Say hello to the Bros you Know.
Follow the Bros on Twitter/X and Facebook… Or Drop us a line and say Hi. But Not you mum, I’ll be around for breakfast soon.
Pickle On!
The Aussie Pickleball Bros.