OWL Sport Signs Pro Pickleball Duo: OWL Sport, a leading brand in high-performance pickleball paddles, has signed professional players Yana Newell and Ben Newell to its official Team OWL roster. The husband-and-wife duo will debut with their new paddles at the APP Chicago Open, taking place August 27–31 at Danny Cunniff Park in Highland Park, Illinois.
A Strong Pairing
Yana Newell, ranked in the Top 10 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, will compete with the OWL PXE paddle from the Power Series. This model is designed for speed, powerful finishing shots, and strong spin while maintaining touch in the soft game.
Ben Newell, ranked in the Top 20 in doubles and mixed doubles, selected the OWL CXE paddle from the Control Series. This paddle focuses on accuracy, spin, and a large sweet spot for consistent play during fast exchanges.
OWL’s Perspective
Rick Schwenk, Chief Marketing Officer at OWL Sport, praised the signing.
“Yana and Ben epitomize today’s pro pickleball top players bringing strategy, explosiveness, consistency, passion and relentless commitment to excellence their game every day,” he said.
He added,
“Pairing Yana’s put–away power with the PXE and Ben’s surgical control with the CXE showcases what our engineering and patented design delivers on court — elite performance that dominates to competition. We are elated to have them be part of Team OWL.”
Players’ Reactions
Yana Newell expressed her excitement about joining OWL Sport.
“From my very first session hitting with the PXE, it felt incredible — true pop and speed with the touch and feel I’ve been looking for. I’m excited to showcase it in Chicago as part of TEAM OWL,” she said.
Ben Newell also praised his new paddle.
“The CXE has helped me elevate my game— a huge sweet spot, precise and consistent response with every shot and accuracy that gives me a new level of confidence in my attacks and hand battles,” he said.
Innovative Paddle Technology
OWL Sport paddles are approved for all pro tournaments and USA Pickleball events. They are also the only paddles in the world approved for both full USAP competition and the USAPA Quiet Category. This design reduces paddle noise by more than 50 percent, helping players, communities, and venues enjoy the game without disruption.
Looking Ahead
With the signing of Yana Newell and Ben Newell, OWL Sport strengthens its pro team while showcasing its advanced paddle technology. Their debut at the APP Chicago Open will be the first chance for fans to see the duo compete under the OWL brand.
News in Brief: OWL Sport Signs Pro Pickleball Duo
OWL Sport has signed professional players Yana Newell and Ben Newell to Team OWL. The pair will debut with OWL paddles at the APP Chicago Open in Illinois from August 27–31. OWL paddles are USAP-approved and Quiet Category certified, combining elite performance with noise-reducing technology.
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