Pickleball World Championships: This week, the Pickleball World Championships are being seen as a turning point, with organizers treating it as a pivotal moment to elevate pickleball from a backyard game to a serious professional sport. PPA Tour President Bryce Morgan described the event, which kicked off on Monday, as a “statement tournament,” showcasing the potential of the pro game.
Showcasing the Pro Game
“Financially, we may lose a dollar or we may make a dollar, But this is where we see pickleball going and what it can become, and this is us standing behind it.”- bryce morgan
Morgan acknowledged that the tournament’s grand scale isn’t just about meeting the audience’s expectations but about presenting the sport at its absolute best. Alongside UPA President Connor Pardoe, Morgan has been actively pursuing major sponsorships and TV deals, aiming to secure more substantial exposure for the pro game.
Strong Ticket Sales and a Boost from Amateurs
Ticket sales for the event have been robust, but much of the tournament’s crowd comes from an essential source: the amateur division. Nearly 3,500 amateur players from 47 states are competing across more than 300 brackets. This part of the tournament has proven financially beneficial, drawing in an enthusiastic crowd while providing substantial exposure for the pro matches.
Capturing America’s Pickleball Players
For now, the PPA Tour’s primary goal isn’t necessarily to attract those unfamiliar with pickleball but to tap into the vast pool of players already enjoying the sport recreationally. Pardoe emphasized the PPA’s focus on the 40 million Americans who have engaged in pickleball this year, saying, “The goal is to convert their interest in playing the sport to watching it played at a higher level.” This strategy centers on making professional pickleball a must-see sport for those who already love to play.
News in Brief: Pickleball World Championships
The Pickleball World Championships kicked off this week, with organizers aiming to elevate pickleball from a casual hobby to a professional sport. PPA Tour President Bryce Morgan calls the event a “statement tournament” that reflects the future of professional pickleball. Ticket sales are solid, but the tournament draws much of its audience from a large amateur division, with nearly 3,500 players competing. The PPA’s current strategy is to capture even a small portion of the 40 million Americans who have played pickleball, hoping to convert their enthusiasm for playing into a passion for watching the pro game.
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