JOOLA Faces Lawsuit for Selling Pickleball Paddles: Joola, a popular pickleball paddle manufacturer, is facing a lawsuit after selling paddles with a false “Approved by USAP” label. The paddles, which were not approved by USA Pickleball (USAP), were sold despite being flagged by USAP for not meeting their regulations.
The Controversy
In 2023, Joola submitted several paddle models for approval by USAP, which certifies paddles for use in competitive pickleball. USAP initially approved some models, but due to an “administrative error,” the paddles Joola manufactured and sold were not the same as those approved.
Days before the unapproved paddles were set to be sold, USAP notified Joola of the issue. Despite this, Joola went ahead and sold the paddles anyway. This led to a lawsuit from a Florida man who had purchased two of the paddles, claiming Joola misrepresented them as USAP-certified.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit accuses Joola of engaging in a “deceptive and fraudulent scheme,” violating Florida’s false advertising laws. The court recently ruled that the case could continue, stating that improperly labeling a product as certified by USAP could mislead consumers into buying something they wouldn’t have otherwise purchased.
Although some of the claims in the lawsuit were dismissed, the core false advertising claim remains.
Potential Consequences
While the direct consequences of using unapproved paddles in pickleball games are unclear, the lawsuit highlights the importance of certification and proper labeling. It also reflects growing concerns over misleading product claims in the fast-growing sport.
News in Brief: JOOLA Faces Lawsuit for Selling Pickleball Paddles
Joola is facing a lawsuit after selling pickleball paddles with a false “Approved by USAP” label. The paddles did not meet USAP’s standards, and a Florida man filed a case accusing Joola of deceptive practices. The core false advertising claim will proceed in court.
ALSO READ: JOOLA in Legal Trouble After Selling Paddles Without USA Pickleball Certification
