Pro Pickleball Leagues: Can Pickleball Become a Mainstream Spectator Sport?
Over the past few years, pickleball has evolved from a backyard game to the fastest-growing sport in the United States. With over 36 million players now hitting the courts, the sport has already made waves in recreational circles. But there’s a new question on the horizon: Can pickleball take the leap from a fun pastime to a serious spectator sport?
With the rise of professional leagues like the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP)—not to mention investments from sports stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kevin Durant—the sport is inching closer to the mainstream sports scene. In this blog, we’ll explore how pro pickleball leagues are gaining momentum, what it will take for the sport to capture a larger audience, and whether pickleball can achieve long-term success as a spectator event.
The Rise of Professional Pickleball Leagues
In the past few years, two major leagues have emerged to formalize professional pickleball: the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). These organizations are bringing structure, star power, and serious competition to the game, helping turn what was once seen as a casual recreational activity into a full-fledged professional sport.
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)
Founded in 2019, the PPA Tour has quickly become one of the leading platforms for professional pickleball players. The PPA hosts some of the largest and most prestigious tournaments in the sport, with events like the PPA Tour Finalsdrawing top players from around the world. In 2023, the PPA signed a multi-year broadcasting deal with ESPN, making pickleball more accessible to millions of viewers.
The PPA Tour has done an excellent job of marketing its events, bringing in corporate sponsorships from big names like JOOLA, Carvana, and Selkirk, and increasing prize money to attract top talent. With more players transitioning to full-time professional status, the PPA is building the infrastructure needed to make pickleball a sustainable career path for elite athletes.
Major League Pickleball (MLP)
While the PPA focuses on individual competition, Major League Pickleball (MLP) brings a unique team-based format to the professional circuit. Founded by entrepreneur Steve Kuhn in 2021, MLP has already garnered significant attention thanks to its innovative approach to the game. Teams of pro players compete in a fast-paced, highly entertaining format that emphasizes collaboration, strategy, and fast reflexes.
MLP also stands out for attracting high-profile investors. In 2022, NBA star LeBron James and his business partners invested in an MLP team, followed by fellow athletes Kevin Durant and Tom Brady. This influx of celebrity ownership has sparked media buzz and boosted the visibility of pro pickleball in ways previously unseen. The league expanded from 12 to 24 teams in 2023 and is expected to add even more teams in 2024, showing the sport’s growing appeal.
Can Pickleball Become a Spectator Sport?
While pickleball’s popularity as a recreational activity is undeniable, turning it into a mainstream spectator sport comes with its own set of challenges. To become a major player in the sports entertainment industry, pickleball needs to capture the attention of both casual viewers and dedicated sports fans. Here’s how pro pickleball is making strides toward achieving that goal:
1. Engaging Broadcasts and Streaming
The key to any successful spectator sport lies in its ability to engage viewers. Pickleball’s simplicity makes it easy to follow, but its fast-paced rallies and subtle strategies can make it just as exciting as more established sports. The challenge, however, is in translating that excitement for a broader audience.
Enter the recent broadcast deals. In 2023, Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour both signed broadcasting agreements with ESPN and CBS Sports. These partnerships have allowed pickleball matches to be aired on traditional television, as well as streamed on platforms like YouTube and ESPN+, increasing the sport’s visibility. The ability to watch matches live or catch up with highlights is crucial for bringing in new fans.
In particular, the PPA Tour Finals in 2023 drew significant viewership, with many fans tuning in to see high-level competition between pro players like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Tyson McGuffin. As the production quality of these broadcasts improves, and more matches are made accessible to viewers, pickleball will continue to build its spectator base.
2. Celebrities and Star Power
One of the most significant factors in pickleball’s growing spectator appeal is the involvement of celebrities and high-profile athletes. The backing of sports icons like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kevin Durant has brought instant credibility to the sport, attracting media attention and fans who may not have otherwise given pickleball a second glance.
In October 2022, when James’ ownership group announced their investment in an MLP team, the news was covered by mainstream sports outlets like ESPN, NBC Sports, and Sports Illustrated. The media frenzy around celebrity involvement in pickleball has added a layer of excitement to the sport, giving it the kind of star power that can help elevate it to new heights.
Beyond just celebrity investors, pickleball’s professional players are becoming stars in their own right. Athletes like Anna Leigh Waters, who at just 16 is already one of the top female players in the world, are emerging as household names within the pickleball community. As these players build personal brands through social media and sponsorship deals, they are becoming more recognizable to a broader audience.
3. Major Tournaments and Prize Pools
Another indicator of pickleball’s rise as a spectator sport is the increasing size of its tournaments and prize pools. The 2023 MLP Finals featured a prize pool of $2 million, a staggering increase from previous seasons. The PPA Tour, meanwhile, regularly hosts tournaments with prize money exceeding $100,000, attracting top talent from around the world.
As prize pools grow, so too does the intensity of the competition. Larger prizes not only incentivize players to pursue pickleball professionally but also create higher-stakes matches that are more thrilling to watch. Tournaments like the USA Pickleball National Championships and the PPA Tour's Newport Beach Shootout have become must-watch events for fans, with packed stands and enthusiastic crowds.
In addition to bigger prize pools, pickleball events are becoming more elaborate. The MLP Showdown features high-tech production, with live commentary, instant replays, and fan interactions, creating an engaging experience for both in-person attendees and viewers at home.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While pickleball is making impressive strides, there are still challenges to overcome on its road to becoming a mainstream spectator sport. However, the opportunities far outweigh these hurdles, and the sport is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.
1. Overcoming Perceptions
One challenge pickleball faces is overcoming the perception that it’s simply a casual game for older adults. While the sport’s roots in retirement communities are an essential part of its history, professional pickleball is a much more dynamic and competitive version of the game. Educating potential fans about the athleticism and strategy involved in pro matches will be crucial for expanding its audience.
2. Attracting Younger Fans
To grow as a spectator sport, pickleball needs to appeal to younger fans. The involvement of celebrities like LeBron James is a good start, but pickleball also needs to build excitement among younger audiences who are looking for fast-paced, entertaining sports. Engaging younger fans through social media, YouTube highlights, and TikTok clips is essential for maintaining long-term growth.
3. Expanding Globally
While pickleball’s growth in the U.S. is impressive, its international presence is still limited. However, efforts are being made to introduce the sport to new markets. The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) has been working to expand the sport’s reach into countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia. As the sport gains popularity globally, international tournaments could bring in new fans and increase its appeal as a global spectator sport.
What’s Next for Pro Pickleball?
As we look ahead, the future of pro pickleball is undeniably bright. The sport is gaining legitimacy with every new sponsorship deal, broadcasting agreement, and celebrity investment. The expansion of leagues like MLP and the PPA Tour, combined with an increasing fanbase, indicates that pickleball is well on its way to becoming a mainstream spectator sport.
With the right mix of star power, technological innovation, and fan engagement, pickleball has the potential to break through and join the ranks of other popular spectator sports. Whether it’s watching pros compete in Major League Pickleball or tuning in to the next PPA Tour event, pickleball’s journey from backyard game to professional sport is far from over—and it’s only just getting started.
