Genie Bouchard and Jack Sock: The second annual Pickleball Business Forum was a landmark event, showcasing the rapid growth of the sport and its surrounding business landscape. The forum, which gathered leaders from across the industry—including pro players, business innovators, and influential figures—served as a reflection of pickleball’s rising popularity. Bob Whyley, Senior VP of Production and Executive Producer of the Tennis Channel, captured the sentiment perfectly when he said, “The best is yet to come.”
Insights from Industry Leaders
At the forum, panelists from various corners of the pickleball world provided valuable insights on the evolving business of the sport. Topics ranged from sponsorships and advertising to broadcasting and infrastructure, all crucial to the continued growth of pickleball on a global scale.
One of the forum’s most significant discussions centered on the expanding role of media and social media in growing the sport. Pro pickleball players Genie Bouchard and Jack Sock offered their expertise on leveraging virtual audiences and social platforms to build the sport’s fanbase.
“Participation is not the issue. Everyone wants to play,” said Bouchard. “So of course, we want to keep growing that. But I think the next step is viewership. We have to get people wanting to watch pro pickleball live and getting those huge numbers. TV rights will help the sport grow so much.”
Sock echoed Bouchard’s sentiments, noting the significant uptick in digital viewership. “Honestly, just look at the numbers and viewership. If you go on YouTube and look at the videos, there’s hundreds of thousands of views on matches. It’s the fastest growing sport in the country and I don’t think it’s stopping anytime soon,” he said.
The Evolution of the PPA Tour and Pickleballtv
For Connor Pardoe, CEO of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, the growth of pickleball has been both a personal and professional journey. Reflecting on the beginnings of the PPA in 2018, Pardoe recalled an experience with his father at a local tournament. “I was having more fun watching this local pickleball tournament than I was watching the US Open earlier that year,” he said. That moment sparked his passion to create a professional tour and helped him understand what makes pickleball so compelling: its fun, accessibility, and universal appeal.
“Two years ago, we had to explain to people what pickleball was. Now, it’s cool, it’s hot, it’s fun, it’s relatable, it’s great for all skill levels and all walks of life. Now, we’re focused on bringing more eyes to the sport,” Pardoe explained. The PPA Tour’s commitment to making matches accessible via their YouTube channel has played a major role in its success.
A major milestone in this evolution occurred last year when PickleballTV launched during the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships. This year, the PickleballTV app debuted, offering fans access to live games, replays, and exclusive lifestyle content for just $5.99 per month.
Viewership and the Future of Broadcast
Despite concerns that a participatory sport like pickleball wouldn’t thrive in the broadcast world, the forum highlighted evidence to the contrary. The sport’s growing media presence and the strategic aspects of the game—such as quick reflexes and intense rallies—have proven compelling for audiences, both in person and online.
Bob Whyley shared his ambitious goal for PickleballTV, aiming to reach 100,000 subscriptions by the end of 2025. “When people start watching, they fall in love with it. They see the men and women who have incredibly quick reflexes and those firefights and cat and mouse with dinking,” said Whyley. “I want people to fall in love with the sport from a media perspective by watching pickleball. I want them to fall in love with the players and the tours.”
Growth Beyond the Screen
While virtual viewership is booming, the live spectator experience is also reaching new heights. The 2024 Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships attracted an astounding 50,000 attendees, underscoring the increasing popularity of the sport. This event has become the “Super Bowl” of professional pickleball, drawing in not only top-level pros but also a vibrant, engaged fanbase.
News in Brief: Genie Bouchard and Jack Sock
The 2024 Pickleball Business Forum highlighted the growth of the sport, with key figures from the PPA Tour and media professionals discussing how to drive further engagement through broadcasting and social media. Pro players Genie Bouchard and Jack Sock emphasized the importance of viewership, while Bob Whyley set ambitious goals for PickleballTV. With the sport’s increasing popularity both online and at live events, the future of pickleball looks brighter than ever.