Super Bowl Ad: Pickleball continues its rise in pop culture, making waves across TV commercials and celebrity endorsements. From humorous ads to planned movies, the sport is capturing the attention of a broader audience. Its growing presence reflects the rapid growth and popularity of pickleball in recent years.
Numerous commercials have featured pickleball, showcasing its appeal and fun. A notable ad for Michelob Ultra stars actors Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as aging pickleball hustlers. In a comedic twist, they beat professional athletes Randy Moss and Sabrina Ionescu to win their beers. “That was fun,” O’Hara’s character says, enjoying a drink with Dafoe, while a frustrated Moss exclaims, “You know we’re professional athletes, right?”
Another popular ad features talking babies in an E-Trade commercial. They wear headbands and beat adults at pickleball. “So this is pickleball?” one baby asks. The second baby quips, “It’s basically tennis for babies…but for adults.” Their win ends with a playful taunt: “Thanks for coming to our clinic. First one’s free!”
Both ads aired during the Super Bowl, giving pickleball significant exposure. Other brands have joined in, including Ozempic, the Washington Lottery, and Target.
Celebrity Appearances Boost Popularity
In the Washington Lottery commercial, NFL stars Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor encourage players to “find your inner boom.” Target featured WNBA stars Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson playing pickleball in a parking lot, with Plum joking, “I never say no to parking lot pickleball.”
The excitement extends beyond commercials. Actor Ben Stiller is working on a pickleball movie titled “The Dink,” featuring Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris. Additionally, “Pickleheads” and “In a Pickle” are reportedly in the works.
Pickleball has gained traction on shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and in specials such as Stephen Colbert’s “Pickled,” which featured celebrities like Will Ferrell and Emma Watson. The Golden Bachelor even hosted a segment titled the Golden Bachelor Pickleball Championship.
Growth of the Sport
Mike Nealy, the CEO of USA Pickleball, highlights the sport’s surge in popularity. He noted the organization hosted the cast of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” during the National Pickleball Championships in Mesa, Arizona.
“Pickleball is so prevalent in our culture now,” Nealy said. “It just shows the incredible growth of the sport over the past three or four years.”
The number of regular players has skyrocketed to an estimated 20 million in the U.S., with growth notably among players aged 25 to 39. Sandals Resorts is investing in building pickleball courts, indicating the sport’s lasting appeal. “Pickleball is not a fad. It’s here to stay,” Nealy added.
Looking Ahead
As pickleball continues to gain popularity in pop culture, its presence in advertisements and entertainment will likely increase. With more celebrities joining in, the sport may become even more mainstream. The combination of fun, accessibility, and excitement makes it a perfect fit for pop culture.
News in Brief: Super Bowl Ad
Pickleball’s rise in pop culture includes celebrity endorsements and humorous ads. Notable commercials feature Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as pickleball hustlers. Actor Ben Stiller is producing a pickleball movie, while brands like Target and E-Trade incorporate the sport in their campaigns, reflecting its growing popularity.
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