What Is Pickleball And Why Is It Taking Over America?

Summary

Pickleball has emerged as America's fastest-growing sport, with nearly 5 million players and a projected 40 million by 2030. Its low barrier to entry and social appeal have fueled its popularity. The sport has seen significant growth during the pandemic, with a 21% increase and an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. Despite its rapid expansion, pickleball faces challenges such as a shortage of courts and player safety concerns. The professional scene is booming with high prize money and celebrity involvement, and there's a push for international growth and Olympic inclusion.

Takeaways

• 🏓 Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America with nearly 5 million players.
• 🎾 The sport has a low barrier to entry, requiring only a paddle, plastic ball, and net, making it accessible and affordable.
• 💰 Professional pickleball introduced the highest prize money per event, over $300,000, attracting more players and investors.
• 🌍 By 2030, it's estimated there will be close to 40 million players worldwide, with a projected market size for pickleball paddles over $250 million by 2028.
• 🏆 Multiple pro leagues have formed, competing for supremacy, including the APP, PPA, and MLP, each offering different formats and opportunities for players.
• 📈 The growth of pickleball has led to an increase in demand for courts, with over 38,000 courts in the US as of 2021 struggling to meet the needs of players.
• 🌐 International growth is also a focus, with efforts to include pickleball in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the sport being played in 70 countries.
• 🏌️‍♀️ Pickleball appeals to a wide demographic, including various age groups, with notable growth during the pandemic.
• 👟 Legacy brands like Nike and Adidas have entered the pickleball market, launching official guides and paddles.
• 💼 Celebrity ownership and investment in leagues like Major League Pickleball have brought significant attention and financial backing to the sport.
• 📊 The sport's rapid growth has led to growing pains, such as not enough courts, player safety concerns, and friction between tennis and pickleball communities.

Q & A

What factors contribute to pickleball's rapid growth in popularity?

Pickleball's low barrier to entry, requiring only a paddle, plastic ball, and net, along with its social, fun, and affordable nature, has made it accessible and appealing to a wide demographic, leading to its rapid growth.

How has the professional pickleball scene evolved recently?

The professional pickleball scene has seen the introduction of high prize money events, with some offering over $300,000 per event, and an estimated growth to nearly 40 million players worldwide by 2030. This has attracted investors and multiple pro leagues competing for supremacy.

What challenges are emerging as pickleball grows in popularity?

Challenges include players exploiting loopholes in the rules, insufficient courts to meet demand, and a surge of TV deals, sponsors, and equipment and apparel brands entering the market.

How has the demographic of pickleball players changed over time?

While initially associated with affluent seniors, pickleball now attracts a wide range of players from various age groups, demographics, and income levels, with nearly 5 million players in the U.S. alone.

What is the significance of the pandemic in the growth of pickleball?

The pandemic acted as a catalyst for pickleball's growth, with the sport exploding by 21% during the pandemic years and maintaining an average annual growth of 11.5%, significantly outpacing other sports like badminton, ping pong, and tennis.

What are the different professional leagues that have formed around pickleball?

Major professional leagues include the APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals), PPA (Professional Pickleball Association), and MLP (Major League Pickleball), each offering different formats and events.

How are celebrity investors impacting the growth and visibility of pickleball?

Celebrity investors like LeBron James and Drew Brees have increased the sport's visibility and attracted sponsors and media attention, contributing to the growth of the sport and its professional leagues.

What are the revenue streams for professional pickleball leagues?

Revenue streams for professional pickleball leagues include prize money from tournaments, merchandising, licensing, and media rights deals with major broadcasters.

What is the current state of pickleball court infrastructure in the U.S.?

As of 2021, there were over 38,000 pickleball courts in the U.S., struggling to meet the demand of nearly 5 million players. By 2030, with an estimated 40 million players, around 280,000 courts would be needed.

What is the potential impact of pickleball's growth on its inclusion in the Olympics?

Pickleball's growth could lead to its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, provided it can expand its international presence to be played in 75 countries, as required for Olympic consideration.

How are the growing pains of pickleball's popularity being addressed?

Efforts are being made to improve tournament organization, player safety, and infrastructure, such as building more courts, to accommodate the increasing number of players and ensure the sport's sustainable growth.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 The Rise of Pickleball: America's Fastest Growing Sport

Pickleball, once associated with affluent seniors, is now experiencing a significant shift in perception. The sport's low barrier to entry, requiring only a paddle, plastic ball, and net, has made it highly accessible and appealing. It has grown rapidly, becoming the fastest growing sport in America with nearly 5 million players. The introduction of high prize money in professional pickleball has attracted investors and players alike. Despite the growth, there are challenges such as pro leagues competing for dominance, insufficient courts, and the need for rule standardization. The sport's evolution and future growth, including the potential for Olympic inclusion, are discussed, highlighting the experiences of players like Ava Wilshire and Alex Tran, who have found success and fulfillment in pickleball.

05:00

💰 Pickleball's Economic Boom and Market Expansion

The global market for pickleball is booming, with the paddle market alone estimated to grow from $150 million in 2021 to over $250 million by 2028. The pandemic saw a surge in players, with 5 million currently active and projections for 40 million by 2030. This growth has led to the formation of pro leagues such as the APP, PPA, and MLP, each offering significant prize money and striving to become the premier league. Celebrity ownership, including investments from figures like LeBron James and Drew Brees, has further boosted the sport's profile and attracted sponsors and media attention. The MLP, in particular, is expanding and seeking strategic partners to grow the sport from the top down.

10:00

🌍 International Growth and Challenges in Pickleball

Pickleball's popularity extends beyond the United States, with the sport being played in 70 countries and growing fastest in Canada. Efforts are underway to include pickleball in the 2028 Summer Olympics, but the sport must overcome challenges such as the need for more courts and the friction between tennis and pickleball communities over court usage. The rapid increase in tournaments has raised concerns about player safety and the physical demands of the sport. As the sport evolves, there is a need for improved infrastructure and management to support the growing number of players and ensure the sport's sustainable development.

Keywords

💡Pickleball

Pickleball is a sport that has gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly among seniors and in affluent communities. It is characterized by its low barrier to entry, requiring only a paddle, a plastic ball, and a net. The sport is social, fun, accessible, and affordable, making it appealing to a wide range of players. As highlighted in the transcript, pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in America, with nearly 5 million players and a projected growth to 40 million players worldwide by 2030.

💡Barrier of Entry

The term 'barrier of entry' refers to the obstacles or costs that must be overcome for someone to start participating in an activity or entering a market. In the context of pickleball, the low barrier of entry means that the sport is easily accessible to a wide audience, as it requires minimal equipment and is relatively inexpensive to play.

💡Tournaments

Tournaments are organized competitions in which players participate to showcase their skills and compete for prizes or titles. In the context of the video, pickleball tournaments have experienced a surge in popularity, with thousands of players flocking to events across the U.S. to compete and make a name for themselves.

💡Professionalization

Professionalization refers to the process by which an activity or sport becomes a full-time occupation for participants, often involving monetary rewards, sponsorships, and organized leagues. In the case of pickleball, the sport has seen a shift towards professionalization with the introduction of high prize money events, professional leagues, and the involvement of high-profile investors.

💡Investors

Investors are individuals or entities that provide financial resources to a venture with the expectation of obtaining a profit. In the context of the video, investors are those who see potential in the growth of pickleball and are investing in the sport, whether it be through equipment, apparel, or professional leagues.

💡Sponsorship

Sponsorship refers to the support provided by a company or organization to an event, individual, or team, often in exchange for advertising or promotional opportunities. In the context of the video, sponsorship involves companies like Nike and Adidas supporting the sport of pickleball by launching official guides and equipment, respectively.

💡Apparel Brands

Apparel brands are companies that design, manufacture, and market clothing and accessories. In relation to the video, apparel brands are those that create specialized clothing and gear for the sport of pickleball, capitalizing on the sport's growing popularity and the need for specialized equipment and fashion.

💡Player Demographics

Player demographics refer to the characteristics of a sport's participants, including age, gender, income level, and other socio-economic factors. In the context of the video, pickleball is noted for its broad appeal across various age groups, income levels, and backgrounds, contributing to its rapid growth and popularity.

💡Growth Pains

Growth pains refer to the challenges and difficulties that arise as a result of rapid expansion or development. In the context of the video, pickleball's explosive growth has led to issues such as a shortage of courts, the need for improved tournament structures, and the struggle to maintain player safety.

💡Olympic Inclusion

Olympic inclusion refers to a sport being recognized and added to the list of events that can be competed in at the Olympic Games. In the context of the video, there is a push to have pickleball included in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which would further legitimize the sport and increase its global popularity.

💡Celebrity Ownership

Celebrity ownership involves famous individuals investing in or owning a team or a part of a sport, often bringing attention and prestige to the league or team they join. In the context of the video, celebrity ownership in Major League Pickleball has helped to raise the profile of the sport, attract new fans, and secure lucrative sponsorship deals.

Highlights

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, with nearly 5 million players.

The sport has a low barrier of entry, requiring only a paddle, a plastic ball, and a net.

Pickleball's growth has been explosive during the pandemic, with a 21% increase in players.

The average annual growth rate for pickleball is estimated at 11.5%.

Pickleball is played by a wide demographic range, including various age groups and income levels.

Top players like Ava Wilshire and Alex Tran have transitioned from other sports to pickleball, finding success and sponsorship.

The professional pickleball scene has seen the introduction of high prize money events, with over $300,000 per event.

By 2030, it is estimated that there will be close to 40 million pickleball players worldwide.

Investors and entrepreneurs are seizing opportunities in the growing pickleball market, including apparel and equipment brands.

The global market size for pickleball paddles was estimated to be over $150 million by the end of 2021, with a forecast to grow to over $250 million by 2028.

Major pro leagues have formed around pickleball, such as the APP, PPA, and MLP, each offering different formats and prize structures.

Celebrity investors like LeBron James and Drew Brees have joined ownership groups, bringing visibility and resources to the sport.

Pickleball is pushing for international growth and inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

There is a need for more pickleball courts to meet the demand, with estimates suggesting 280,000 courts will be needed by 2030 for 40 million players.

The sport's rapid growth has led to growing pains, such as not enough courts and concerns over player safety at tournaments.

Pickleball Central, the largest pickleball retailer in the US, saw sales increase by 30 to 40% from 2020 to 2021.

Nike and Adidas have entered the pickleball market, launching official guides and paddles.

Transcripts

When you think of pickleball, you're probably thinking of this affluent

seniors playing the game on tennis courts or a country clubs.

But that sentiment is changing.

For one, the sport has a low barrier of entry.

All you need is a paddle, a plastic ball and a net.

It's social, it's fun, it's accessible, it's affordable.

It's got everything that the consumer wants or needs.

That's a big reason why pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in

America and is beloved by nearly 5 million Americans.

In recent years, thousands of players have been flocking to tournaments all

over the U.S., vying to make a name for themselves.

We introduced the highest prize money per event in all of pro

pickleball this year.

You know, more than $300,000 per event.

Some estimate that by 2030 there will be close to 40 million players worldwide.

And investors from everywhere are looking to seize on the opportunities.

But with anything growing as rapidly as pickleball has, there has been some

growing pains as pro leagues compete for supremacy hundreds of tournaments

each year, with some players finding loopholes in the rules, not enough

courts to meet demand, and a flood of TV deals, sponsors, equipment and

apparel brands looking to get in early on pickleball.

Pickleball is kind of the wild, wild West right now.

A lot of different tours kind of competing for for control of the sport.

So how exactly did pickleball evolve into the massive sport it is today and

how will the game, its players and administrators navigate the growth at a

time when everyone wants in on pickleball?

I train in the morning for like 2 hours.

I work with a trainer five days a week, and then I'll play a couple of hours.

So, I mean, it's probably 4 hours on the court a day plus in the gym.

Plus, you know, I study film and, you know, just

it's just on your mind all the time.

This is Ava Wilshire.

She was a D1 tennis player in college.

However, it wasn't until she became an empty nester that she started playing

pickleball.

This is like my second opportunity to be really good at something on my

terms. This is where I want to put my time.

This is where I want to put my money and this is the people I want to be

with.

Pickleball has been around since 1965, but its story really begins during the

pandemic. From 2016 to 2019, pickleball grew 7%.

The years of the pandemic, the sport exploded by 21% and nearly 15% growth

each year over the last five years.

Pickleball is average. Annual growth is an estimated 11.5%.

To put that into perspective, badminton and ping pong.

They both lost players while tennis grew by 4.2%.

Pickleball is also played by a wide spectrum of players from various age,

demographics and income levels.

Right here. Pump your ankle up and down five times.

17 year old Alex Tran got into pickleball during the pandemic

and is now a sponsored top player.

She's homeschooling so she could spend more time honing her skills.

I got into pickleball around two years ago.

I played my first tournament in July of 2020 with my dad and in a local

tournament. I ended up winning that tournament and I played a couple of

others throughout the year with my dad.

We ended up being undefeated for the entire year and I thought I was pretty

good at it. So ever since then I was hooked.

My typical day in my life, I'll wake up, I'll drive my brother to school,

I'll go to a café, study for two, 3 hours, get some work done, go out, play

some pickleball, drill a little bit, a couple of hours.

I'll come home, have a lunch break, then go back out, play some more

pickleball. So I'm playing every day, at least 3 hours a day.

Cowlitz, who's played since 2014, has turned pickleball into a full time job.

He runs his tournament here in Atlantic City, but Kyle is also a co-founder of

the brand PB1965.

In 2020.,

Covid hit. Everything stopped.

So there went my income.

There were no tournaments, there are no clinics, no teaching, nothing.

And I stopped playing.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my life.

And then once tournaments started coming back, year and half later, the

sport had changed. There were so many good players it was really hard to keep

winning prize money, so I figured I'd start to diversify.

I didn't really want to do anything other than pickleball, myself included.

Most of the pros actually have to make a lot of money on the side running

camps, clinics, teaching.

And that's why I started my apparel brand to help make a little money on the

side as more of a side income.

Pickleball has generated a lot of buzz as of late, and brands tailored around

the sport saw business boom in 2020.

Pickleball Central, the largest pickleball retailer in the US, saw sales

jump between 30 to 40% from 2020 to 2021.

Legacy brands like Nike and Adidas have jumped on the pickleball craze too.

Nike launched its own official buyer's guide, pointing customers to products

best suited to play the game.

Adidas launched their own paddles in 2021, with prices ranging from $60 to

$130.

Back when I started, there was only one paddle manufacturer and now there's

hundreds. So you're seeing tons of people jump in the sport trying to take

little slices of the pie.

By the end of 2021.

The global market size for pickleball paddles was estimated to be over $150

million. It's now forecast to grow to over $250 million by 2028.

A million people picked up a paddle during the pandemic and the

research says there's 5 million players today.

But those that look at bull sales and Google searches think it's much closer

to 8 million.

If you look at the numbers growing 30% every year, there

will be 40 million pickleball players by 2030.

And that will make pickleball not just the the fastest growing

sport, but probably the the sport with the greatest participation numbers by

double.

Pro league centered around pickleball have also formed, all of which are

competing to become the Premier League for pickleball.

There's the App League, the PPA and the MLP.

The app and the PPA are sort of the regular tours week in and week out and

they have singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

They each have 20 or 25 events, so like 50 events for the year.

Major League pickleball is completely different.

It's like the Ryder Cup or the Davis Cup of pickleball.

This, this coed team format equal playing time for men and women,

equal prize money for men and women.

And Major League Pickleball offers the highest prize money per

event in all of pro pickleball.

The winning team takes home 100,000 $25,000

per player, which is a huge payday in professional pickleball.

Competition amongst these leagues are healthy for the overall growth of the

sport and the business of pickleball.

Leagues like the PPA signed some of pickleball top players to exclusive

contracts, essentially barring them from playing in other leagues like the

MLP.

Definitely seeing Major League Pickleball step up, get some big time

sponsors, big time companies coming in and putting serious money into it.

And so it's exciting.

We'll see where it ends up.

The value of a team has increased exponentially in just one year.

We're very lucky because we have all kinds of iconic owners like Gary

Vaynerchuk. Marc Lasry, the co owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, James

Blake, former top ten ATP men's tennis player.

And of course we recently added Drew Brees, LeBron James

to buy an expansion team.

Even though the MLP was launched in 2021, the league is already looking to

becoming the sport's crown jewel.

The leagues partnerships with investors are unique and has made it clear that

not everyone with a blank check can become an owner or investor.

We choose team owners as it relates to really looking for strategic

partners. Media experience and resources,

sponsorship, connections and experience.

Lebron's group is already leaning in and working with us on three different

projects. It's very important to us not just to have somebody who can write a

check, but who buys into our goal of growing the

sport from the top down with pro pickleball Major League Pickleball.

As of right now, the MLP is looking to expand their league from 12 teams to 16

and shallow over $2 million in prize money, and the cost of investments have

grown into the seven figure range as the league continues to add celebrity

investors like LeBron James and most recently Tom Brady.

We have had an avalanche of interest from prospective sponsors

and media rights.

Our media rights this year are with CBS Sports Network.

We're having conversations with all the major linear and streaming broadcasters

about 2023 and beyond.

Mlp generates revenue from merchandizing and licensing programs when that will be

launched back in 2021.

They only had five sponsors after expanding its ownership to include the

likes of LeBron James and Drew Brees.

The league was flooded with new sponsors and potential media rights

deals.

Celebrity ownership really helps because let's look at Drew Brees.

100 million people saw that news.

And just imagine if half of 1% of of those

viewers who saw that news picked up a paddle for the first time, that's

500,000 new players to pickleball.

As America establishes itself as the mecca of pickleball, there's also a push

to shore up growth internationally.

The hope is to bring the games to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Pickleball is also the fastest growing sport in Canada, according to

International Federation of Pickleball.

Pickleball is played in 70 countries.

75 is needed for the sport to be played at the Olympics.

However, the sport needs to overcome some of its growing pains.

Just take tournaments as an example.

They've exploded with the game's popularity as thousands of players

descend to events in hopes to win prize money or simply to compete.

Yet there's been a deluge of tournaments to keep up with demand and

player safety is becoming a growing concern for players and event organizers

like Kyle Yates.

The sport's evolved so much, but the tournaments are still relatively the

same as they were 5 to 10 years ago.

And the sport is changing.

It's getting very physical, very grueling.

And so there's a lot of new players coming in that are training and playing

a lot of tournaments. And physically it might be too much to them.

The sport's evolved quite a bit and and right now some players are playing too

many matches in a day.

They're not getting enough break in between.

They're not being supplied with enough water.

Even so, there's a lot of little growing pains that I'm trying to fix and

make sure that the next generation of players are taking care of.

Another crucial pain point.

There is just not enough courts to keep up with demand.

The lack of courts means some pickleball players are taking over

existing tennis courts, which has caused friction between the tennis and

pickleball communities.

There's been vandalism, noise complaints and confrontations on the

courts. As of 2021, there were over 38,000 pickleball courts in the US,

all of which struggled to meet the demand of almost 5 million players.

By 2030, there would be nearly 40 million players and there would need to

be an estimated 280,000 courts to meet that massive demand.

A few cities around the country have started making that investment.

Since its humble beginnings as a simple pickup game for families to enjoy.

Two major investment opportunities with an estimated 40 million players by 2030.

Pickleball is Goldrush doesn't look to be ending any time soon.

In fact, it's just getting started.