Pickleball’s Popularity Soars Amid Challenges: On a small court in Newport Beach, California, a young athlete is at the forefront of a rising sport. Ben Johns, considered the best pickleball player in the world, is witnessing firsthand how the game has evolved from obscurity to a multimillion-dollar industry. Once a little-known pastime, pickleball is now attracting major investments from sports franchises, leagues, and high-profile athletes.
A Fast-Growing Phenomenon
Pickleball has surged in popularity in recent years. According to USA Pickleball, the sport now has about 5 million players in the U.S., marking a 35% increase since 2017. It is currently the fastest-growing sport in the country, drawing interest from prominent figures like NBA star LeBron James, who has invested in Major League Pickleball.
“There’s no going back, and you just got to accept it. It’s a sport with a funny name, but you just got to go with it.” – (Ben Johns)
Sean Bollettieri Abdali, a tennis and pickleball club owner, believes the sport’s accessibility has played a key role in its success.
“It’s like playing table tennis on a full sized court, and that’s pickleball.” – (Bollettieri Abdali)
Why Pickleball Took Off
The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in pickleball’s growth, offering people a way to stay active while social distancing.
“No doubt the pandemic really made people think more about how they can socialize, how they can recreate, and this game kind of gave them both at the same time.” – (Bollettieri Abdali)
Unlike tennis, which requires a high level of skill and a large playing area, pickleball is easier to learn and can be played in smaller spaces.
“In tennis, you’re about 80 feet away from each other, and tennis is also a very difficult sport. It takes a lot more skill to play it. Where in this sport, you and I can just get up on the court with our kids and wife if they had never played pickleball before and have a nice game.” – (Bollettieri Abdali)
Jonathan Fralick, national director of racquet sports at Invited Clubs, acknowledges pickleball’s unique appeal.
“I think it could be a little bit more of a niche offering than a widespread for grand slams throughout the globe, but again, I’ve never seen anything like this in my 30 years of racket sports. So for me to put any limitations on this sport I think would be shortcoming.” – (Jonathan Fralick)
A Sport for Everyone
Pickleball is often compared to a larger version of ping pong, featuring a smaller court, a lower net, and faster volleys. This format allows for quick games and an inclusive playing experience.
“Men can play directly against women without men having a gigantic advantage like they do in lots of sports, where size and strength give you a huge advantage,” said Victor Matheson, a sports economics professor at College of the Holy Cross.
“It doesn’t take a lot of space, so this is really nice from an urban standpoint.” – (Victor Matheson)
Despite its rapid rise, there are concerns about whether pickleball’s accessibility will remain intact as the sport commercializes.
“There are paddles that probably costs $15 in China that are being sold for $2-300. Private lessons and pickleball that used to cost $30, $40 at a public park today costs over $100, so it’s changed quite a bit.” – (Bollettieri Abdali)
Challenges and Future Prospects
As the sport grows, questions arise about its long-term sustainability and media appeal. Some investors are skeptical about whether the sport will translate well to television.
“Where my concerns are is from an investment perspective: If there is going to be a media deal and if people are going to watch it on TV, I just have some concerns. I’m not saying it won’t translate to TV, but I have some concerns about whether it will translate to TV.” – (Keith Bank, a sports investor)
Another challenge lies in the sport’s complex scoring system.
“The scoring of pickleball is almost as bad as tennis. It’s almost like an area code every time. You want to turn on your channel, or turn on the TV and know exactly who’s winning and who’s losing.” – (Bollettieri Abdali)
Still, those involved in the sport remain optimistic about its future.
“Literally everyone and anyone can play, and they can have a lot of fun on the first day. I think that’s super important. Pickleball has done an incredible job of going on a natural course and being really well, so I would not want to halt what is natural for it.” – (Ben Johns)
With growing investments, rising participation, and increasing mainstream attention, the sport appears assured for a bright future.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Popularity Soars Amid Challenges
Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity, attracting millions of players and major investors, including NBA stars. The sport’s accessibility and fast-paced gameplay have fueled its growth, but concerns remain over rising costs and TV appeal. Despite challenges, experts believe pickleball’s unique appeal ensures its place in the evolving sports landscape.
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