Andre Agassi Returns for Pickleball Slam 3: In what’s becoming one of the sport’s most anticipated events, Pickleball Slam heads to Las Vegas next February, and it will feature none other than hometown legend Andre Agassi. The third edition of the Slam promises high-stakes competition, as Agassi and Steffi Graf, his wife and tennis great, will square off against Andy Roddick and former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard.
Agassi, already a two-time Slam champion, first teamed up with Roddick in 2023 to win the inaugural title. Last February, he claimed another victory, this time alongside Graf. With a hefty $1 million on the line, the stakes are high—not just for the prize money, but for the opportunity to secure a spot in the next Slam series.
A Prime Time Slot for Pickleball
Set to air on Feb. 16, the event will once again be broadcast by ESPN, a key player in bringing the burgeoning sport to a wider audience. With the Daytona 500 and NBA All-Star Game happening on the same day, Pickleball Slam is positioned to capitalize on a sports-packed weekend. As the event continues to gain attention, David Levy, co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Entertainment, pointed to pickleball’s growth in participation, sponsorship, and media presence as crucial factors behind the Slam’s success.
“Pickleball’s surge in participation, sponsorship investments, and media coverage underscores its rising status in the sports and advertising worlds,” Levy stated. He emphasized how the Slam plays a critical role in showcasing the sport’s expanding appeal.
Impressive Viewership Figures
ESPN’s support has already paid dividends. In April 2023, the network aired Pickleball Slam right after an NBA regular-season game, helping to draw in an average of 669,000 viewers. Notably, viewership spiked to 796,000 during the doubles match, where Agassi and Roddick faced off against John McEnroe and Michael Chang. The event even managed to outperform some XFL games on the same day and matched the audience numbers of the Bruins/Blues NHL game on TNT, demonstrating pickleball’s potential as a broadcast draw.
Last year’s Slam, featuring Agassi and Graf against McEnroe and Maria Sharapova, drew an average of 596,000 viewers. But what really stood out was the peak audience of 990,000, a solid turnout for a late-night Sunday slot, following an NBA game between the L.A. Clippers and Miami Heat.
The Rising Tide of Pickleball Participation
Televised pickleball might be new, but the sport itself has taken off across the U.S. in a big way. In 2023, as many Americans participated in pickleball as they did in more established sports like baseball, soccer, and downhill skiing. With its rapid rise in participation, pickleball is quickly becoming a staple in the sports world, and events like Pickleball Slam are helping it carve out a place in the national conversation.
News in Brief : Andre Agassi Returns for Pickleball Slam 3
Pickleball Slam 3 will take place in Las Vegas in February 2024, featuring local favorite Andre Agassi alongside Steffi Graf, competing against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard. Agassi, a two-time Slam champion, returns with $1 million on the line, and the winning team will secure a spot in the next Slam series.
ESPN will air the event on February 16, following NBA games. Viewership for the Slam has been strong, with the 2023 edition peaking at 990,000 viewers. As pickleball participation grows nationwide, the Slam is gaining prominence in the sports world.
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