The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is bringing the sport’s global excitement to India with its first-ever franchise-based league, featuring top players from around the world. To promote the upcoming event, the league launched a digital video campaign (DVC) that highlights the sport’s accessibility, community-driven nature, and universal appeal.
The Campaign: Fun and Relatable Moments
Directed by Bijoy Shetty and created by OML, the campaign begins with quirky and imaginative scenarios where pickleball fever has taken over daily life.
In the film, a couple dining at a restaurant transforms their table into a makeshift pickleball court, a yoga instructor bends students into positions resembling a net, a fashion designer uses fabric as a net, and kids on a seesaw play an impromptu match. These playful scenes show that pickleball isn’t just for dedicated courts – it’s a sport for everyone, everywhere.
The film’s blend of humor and excitement captures the essence of pickleball, emphasizing how the sport’s simplicity and fun can bring people together. It also teases the upcoming WPBL, building anticipation for India’s inaugural pickleball league, which kicks off on January 24, 2025, and runs until February 2, 2025.
“Creating something for a dynamic sport like Pickleball, which is taking the world by storm, was an exciting challenge. Inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of Pickleball players and its fans, I wanted the ad to capture the same thrill that drives this incredible sport. It was a joy to bring my own perspective to it, and I hope everyone enjoys the ad and the upcoming league as much as I enjoyed working on it. I know I’ll be on the edge of my seat watching the league unfold!” – (Bijoy Shetty)
The World Pickleball League
The World Pickleball League will feature six dynamic teams, with ownership from corporate leaders and celebrities. The league promises to showcase some of the best pickleball players from India and around the world, with top competitors competing in an intense ten-day tournament. The event will feature 18 games and bring together 48 players from 14 countries.
Gaurav Natekar, Co-Founder and CEO of the World Pickleball League, shared his excitement for the event, saying,
“We are very excited about the DVC launch. What we wanted to capture is that the league is not only about serious Pickleball, featuring some of the best players in the world, but also about showcasing the fact that anyone, in almost any environment, can play Pickleball. That’s the beauty of the sport. And that’s what we aim to achieve with the World Pickleball League. We aim to bring people together through the sport, creating communities, and building a professional league that is commercially viable for all our stakeholders and partners.” – (Gaurav Natekar)
Expanding the Game’s Reach
The World Pickleball League campaign highlights how pickleball can be played in a variety of settings, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility. Whether in a park, restaurant, or on a seesaw, pickleball can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
As the sport continues to grow, WPBL is expected to generate interest not only from serious athletes but also from amateurs looking to try their hand at the game. Manav Parekh, Executive Creative Director at OML, reflected on the campaign’s inspiration, saying,
“Pickleball is blowing up and for good reason! To show that obsession we turned to our childhood days for inspiration. Our obsession to play cricket anywhere and everywhere we could. Use anything as wickets and viola! Similarly, how would using anything/anyone as a Pickleball net look? That’s what this film is. The obsession with Pickleball is here and it’s only going to grow.” – (Manav Parekh)
A Global Event
The World Pickleball League will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels, allowing fans to follow the action from home. The league promises to not only provide top-tier competition but also spotlight the fun, community-driven side of pickleball.
The six teams competing in the event are: Dilli Dillwale, Pune United, Mumbai Pickle Power, Bengaluru Jawans, Chennai Super Champs, and Hyderabad Superstars.
As the World Pickleball League launches, pickleball continues to grow worldwide, bringing people together and showcasing the sport’s universal appeal.
News in Brief: The World Pickleball League
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) has launched a digital campaign showcasing pickleball’s universal appeal, promoting its first-ever franchise-based league in India. The league will feature six teams and top international players, with the event broadcast on Sony Sports Network. The league runs from January 24 to February 2, 2025.