Pro Pickleball: A Growing Payday for America’s Best Players

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) announced Thursday that the sport is experiencing significant growth across various fronts, including attendance, player participation, and salaries.

Notably, the average annual salary for the more than 60 women competing in the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) is $260,000. This figure surpasses the highest-paid WNBA player’s salary and more than doubles the average pay of athletes in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Altogether, professional pickleball players have earned over $30 million collectively this year in salaries alone, excluding lucrative endorsement deals.

The rise of pro pickleball has been remarkable, especially considering its challenges. Last December, some players banded together to raise concerns about the league’s future after facing a proposed 40% pay cut.

In February, a pivotal merger between Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association created the United Pickleball Association, backed by $75 million in external investments. Despite the merger, the PPA Tour and MLP retained their unique identities. The PPA Tour operates as an individual bracket-style competition, while MLP features a team-based format.

Since the merger, tensions have subsided, and the league has focused on refining its business and product. Leading the sport’s growth are stars like 17-year-old Anna Leigh Waters, along with standout players Federico Staksrud and Ben Johns.

Pro pickleball’s rapid evolution signals a bright future for the sport and its athletes.

United Pickleball Association Sees Record Growth in 2024

The merger of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) into the United Pickleball Association (UPA) has driven unprecedented growth, according to Samin Odhwani, UPA’s Chief Strategy Officer.

“It’s just these immense efficiencies that came about as we were able to merge, and as a result, it was great for our business,” said Odhwani.

The consolidation allowed for enhanced cross-promotion among players, improved sponsorship opportunities, and streamlined operations. These changes led to a 50% year-over-year increase in sponsorship revenue, with over 50 sponsors supporting the PPA Tour and MLP brands. Odhwani predicts UPA revenue will surpass $100 million in the next few years.

Interest and viewership also reached new heights in 2024. Attendance at PPA Tour and MLP events jumped by 40%, with 320,000 fans attending games. For the first time, revenue from ticket sales exceeded that from amateur registrations.

Fans consumed 350 hours of pickleball broadcasts across major platforms like Fox, CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime, and the Tennis Channel. PickleballTV, a partnership between the UPA and Tennis Channel, reported over a billion minutes of viewership during the season.

“2024 was the best year ever for pro pickleball,” Odhwani said. “We had over 320,000 attendees, 27,000 amateur players, and, candidly, a unified league.”

Looking ahead, UPA plans to focus on expanding media rights, growing its amateur player base, and turning its professional athletes into household names in the sports world.

Pro Pickleball’s Rise: Salaries, Sponsorships, and Fan Growth

As pro pickleball continues its rapid ascent, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) has set ambitious goals for the future. In 2025, the league plans to expand media rights partnerships to bring the sport to even broader audiences across major platforms. This effort aims to build on the 350 hours of pickleball already broadcast in 2024 and the billion minutes of watch time recorded by PickleballTV.

Growing amateur participation is another priority, as the UPA seeks to solidify pickleball’s reputation as a sport for everyone. Increased investment in grassroots initiatives and amateur competitions will ensure a steady pipeline of talent while strengthening the sport’s community roots.

Additionally, the UPA is focused on turning professional players into household names. By leveraging sponsorship opportunities, cross-promotional marketing, and storytelling through media, stars like Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns, and others will become more widely recognized. These efforts will ensure pickleball’s continued momentum and its evolution into a major player in the global sports arena.

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