Pickleball’s Olympic Ambitions Face Hurdles: Collin Johns responds to leaked text messages that caused controversy earlier this week, claiming they were taken out of context. The supposed email leak was a set of private text messages, which Johns says were
“reframed and forwarded to MLP without my consent, then subsequently leaked to the general public, which was never my intention.”(Collin Johns)
Michele Steele Explores Pickleball’s Olympic Struggles
ESPN’s Michele Steele has written an article titled “Why Isn’t Pickleball in the Olympics?” addressing the ongoing debate about the sport’s potential inclusion in the Games. Steele explains that many people are asking why pickleball was not added to the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighting key challenges.
These include competing national governing bodies (NGBs), the lack of widespread international participation, and issues related to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Additionally, Steele discusses the growing concerns over betting and other logistical obstacles standing in the way of pickleball’s Olympic dreams.
Agassi Partners with Joola for New Paddle Line
Tennis legend Andre Agassi has teamed up with Joola, a leading pickleball equipment brand, to release a line of Agassi-branded paddles and accessories. This partnership follows Agassi’s earlier collaboration with the DUPR system, marking another major step in his growing involvement in pickleball.
With his tennis background and growing interest in the sport, Agassi’s partnership with Joola is expected to bring fresh attention to the sport and its equipment.
Impact on Pickleball’s Future
The recent developments in the pickleball world, including Johns’ clarification and the growing involvement of stars like Agassi, highlight the sport’s expanding influence. However, issues like Olympic inclusion remain significant hurdles.
As more professionals and companies invest in pickleball, its growth in both competitive play and equipment development continues to show promise for the future of the sport.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Olympic Ambitions Face Hurdles
Collin Johns responded to leaked text messages, claiming they were taken out of context. ESPN’s Michele Steele explored the challenges of getting pickleball into the Olympics, including competition from other NGBs. Meanwhile, Andre Agassi partnered with Joola to launch a new paddle line, further boosting pickleball’s growth.