Professional Pickleball Players Rake in Big Bucks: Professional pickleball players in the United States are earning more than ever. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) announced that the sport is experiencing growth in attendance, player salaries, and sponsorships. Over 60 women on the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) now earn an average of $260,000 annually—more than the highest-paid WNBA player.
Collectively, pro pickleball players earned over $30 million in 2024 from salaries alone, not including endorsements. Attendance at events increased by 40%, with 320,000 fans attending PPA and MLP competitions.
A Sport on the Rise
Pickleball has grown significantly since its early days. The sport saw major changes in February 2024, when the PPA and MLP merged to form the United Pickleball Association (UPA). The merger brought $75 million in investment and streamlined operations. The PPA Tour continues as an individual bracket competition, while MLP remains a team-based format.
This growth has helped pro players like Anna Leigh Waters, Federico Staksrud, and Ben Johns become sports stars. Sponsorship deals also grew by 50%, with more than 50 sponsors backing the PPA and MLP.
Insights from the United Pickleball Association
Samin Odhwani, the UPA’s chief strategy officer, explained how the merger benefited the sport.
“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,” (Samin Odhwani).
He added that the unified league allowed for cross-promotion and helped attract sponsors. The UPA now expects revenue to surpass $100 million in the coming years.
Fans are also tuning in like never before. In 2024, the league provided 350 hours of televised pickleball on major networks like Fox, CBS, ESPN, and Amazon Prime. PickleballTV reported that fans streamed more than a billion minutes of games.
“2024 was the best year ever for pro pickleball,”. “We had 320,000 plus attendees at our events, 27,000 amateurs playing and candidly, just a unified league.”Samin Odhwani)
What’s Next for Pickleball?
Heading into 2025, the UPA plans to expand its media rights deals, grow the amateur sector, and build its pros into global sports icons. With increasing viewership, higher earnings, and a growing fanbase, pickleball is becoming one of the most exciting sports in the United States.
News in Brief: Professional Pickleball Players Rake in Big Bucks
Professional pickleball in the U.S. is booming, with players earning an average of $260,000 annually. The sport saw a 40% increase in event attendance and over $30 million in player salaries in 2024. The merger of the PPA and MLP into the UPA is fueling further growth, sponsorships, and media coverage.
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