A new group called the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA) has been formed to give professional pickleball players a stronger voice. The group, led by Tina Pisnik and Collin Johns, was announced through news outlets including ESPN and Sports Business Journal. The WPPA aims to improve transparency in health, safety, scheduling, and pay for pro athletes.
A Player-Led Initiative
The WPPA was created to support the growth of pickleball and make sure players are treated fairly. The group’s website says it was started “to strengthen our sport through unity, professionalism, and collaboration.”
Tina Pisnik, the WPPA President, said in a press release, “This is about players working together to advance our sport and raise it to the next level — for athletes, fans, and the game itself.”
The WPPA currently has seven founding members, all active professionals in the United Pickleball Association (UPA):
- Tina Pisnik, President
- Dekel Bar, Treasurer
- Jessie Irvine, Secretary
- Augie Ge, Board Member
- Collin Johns, Board Member
- Jay Devilliers, Board Member
- Gabe Tardio, Board Member
The group says it wants to focus on making the sport safer, more organized, and more fair for all players.
Why the WPPA Was Formed Now
Collin Johns explained why the timing is right for this move. He said in the WPPA’s press release, “The formation of an official player association marks an important step in the natural evolution of a newly established professional sport. Our priority is to protect player interests and provide a unified, independent voice. We look forward to working collaboratively with tour leadership wherever possible, with the shared goal of building long-term success and stability for the sport and its athletes.”
Tina Pisnik also told Sports Business Journal that while most founding members are from the UPA, they welcome pro players from any tour — even international ones. “Whoever loves the sport and wants to be a part of it,” she said.
Support from Tennis Community
The WPPA has already received support from the Professional Tennis Players Association. In a public statement, they said, “This is a significant and commendable milestone, representing the first crucial step toward independent, player-led representation. We strongly believe in the importance of athletes having a unified voice that is free from league or tour control or interference. Such independence is vital to ensuring that the interests, rights, and wellbeing of players remain the priority in all decision-making processes.”
The UPA’s Response
The United Pickleball Association has had its own Pro Player Committee since 2020. On the same day the WPPA was announced, the UPA elected Zane Navratil as the new president of that committee.
According to the UPA, “The United Pickleball Association Pro Player Committee serves as the official and exclusive player representation body recognized by the UPA to weigh in on key matters including rules, regulations, player obligations, compensation structure, policies, and other professional pickleball governance.”
Without naming the WPPA directly, the UPA made it clear that it only recognizes its own committee. It stated, “The UPA confirms that this committee is the only formally acknowledged and authorized voice of its athlete base.”
The current UPA Pro Player Committee includes:
- Zane Navratil – President
- Roscoe Bellamy
- Brooke Buckner
- Jorja Johnson
- Allyce Jones
- Eric Oncins
- Catherine Parenteau
- Federico Staksrud
- Anna Leigh Waters
- Matt Wright
The UPA says that as president, Zane Navratil “will be instrumental in acting as the voice of not just the committee, but of his fellow 155+ contracted athletes of the UPA.”
What This Means for the Future
The WPPA’s creation may lead to more discussions about how professional pickleball should be managed. While the WPPA says it is not a union, its formation shows that players want more input and fairness in how the sport operates. Whether or not the WPPA and UPA will work together remains to be seen, but both sides say they are focused on growing pickleball for everyone.
News in Brief: World Pickleball Players Association
The World Pickleball Players Association, led by Tina Pisnik and Collin Johns, has formed to give pro players a stronger voice on safety, pay, and transparency. The UPA, which has its own committee, does not recognize the WPPA. The future of pro pickleball may involve more player-led changes.
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