Major League Pickleball Scores Big: Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Japan’s Toray Industries, Inc. have signed a new sponsorship deal. Toray is now a platinum partner of MLP and the league’s first Asia-based partner. The partnership begins with the 2025 season, which starts April 24 in Orlando, Florida.
Toray’s logo will appear at all 14 events in the 2025 MLP calendar, including the 10 regular-season stops, a mid-season tournament, playoffs, and the MLP Cup in November. The deal includes branding MLP’s “kitchen” area during matches and title sponsorships of events in San Diego and New York.
A Global Move for Pickleball
MLP is one of the top pro pickleball leagues in the U.S., growing fast as the sport explodes in popularity. Toray is a materials manufacturer based in Japan with a long history of sports support.
“MLP and Toray have been diligently and strategically working towards this partnership for several months, during which time we have been fascinated to learn about both the size of Toray’s business and the critical role that they play in the area of carbon fiber,” said George Killebrew, UPA Chief Revenue Officer.
“They will literally be our partner, helping to shape future global paddle production. The Toray branding of MLP’s kitchen – as well as several business-to-business opportunities at cities along the MLP schedule – will help make Toray a household name and a well-recognized brand in the U.S.” – (Killebrew)
Toray’s Sports Legacy and Goals
Toray is already well known in the sports world for its sponsorship of tennis, volleyball, and marathon events in Asia. It now brings its experience and technology to pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
“Through this initiative, we aim to contribute to the development of pickleball globally, starting from the United States, and support people’s health and well-being through sports,” said Mitsuo Ohya, President and CEO of Toray Industries, Inc.
“We also aim to enhance the recognition of our carbon fiber business in the U.S., create communication opportunities with Toray’s related companies in the U.S., and partner companies and potential customers across the country. As a global advanced materials manufacturer, we hope to increase awareness of Toray and create opportunities for co-creation partners to address global challenges such as climate change, resource circulation, safe water and air, health, and medical care.” – (Mitsuo Ohya)
Innovation for the Game’s Future
Toray’s carbon fiber brand, Torayca, is already used in some high-performance pickleball paddles. The company hopes to grow its role by helping design next-generation paddles and balls through partnerships with manufacturers.
Toray plans to apply its research and development to improve materials used in the game. It also wants fans to learn more about the benefits of its products through pickleball’s rising popularity.
What Comes Next
As the 2025 MLP season kicks off, fans will see Toray’s presence at every tournament. The New York event will carry the name “POWERED BY TORAY,” while the San Diego stop will have Toray as the title sponsor.
With Toray’s support, MLP continues to grow at home and abroad. This partnership could also inspire other international brands to join the sport of professional pickleball.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Scores Big
Toray Industries, Inc. has joined Major League Pickleball as its first Asia-based platinum partner. The Japanese materials company will sponsor MLP’s 2025 season, with branding at every event. Toray aims to promote health through sport and expand its carbon fiber use in pickleball equipment like paddles and balls.
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