USA Pickleball’s Countersuit Against JOOLA: USA Pickleball filed a countersuit on April 18, 2025, against Sport Squad, Inc., the parent company of JOOLA, claiming JOOLA sold altered versions of its Gen 3 paddles to the public after receiving approval for different models. The lawsuit intensifies the legal feud that began in June 2024.
Gen 3 Paddles Spark Controversy
USA Pickleball (USAP) claims JOOLA committed a “bait-and-switch” by gaining approval for one set of paddles and then selling different, non-approved versions. The paddles sold to the public reportedly contained more foam than the certified models, causing a stronger “trampoline effect” during play.
“Thus, as USAP learned, JOOLA was selling an entire “Gen 3” product line to the public in 2024 bearing USAP’s supposed stamp of approval [that] were not the paddles that JOOLA had submitted to USAP for approval in 2023. It was a classic bait-and-switch. Each paddle had far more foam (sometimes double the amount of foam or more) than the original paddles, which heightened the illegal “trampoline effect” when players made contact with the ball.” – (statement from USAP’s lawsuit)
Background: How the Conflict Grew
In late 2023, JOOLA submitted its Gen 3 paddles to USAP for testing. After the paddles passed all certification checks, JOOLA launched the product line in April 2024, advertising powerful performance.
Soon after, JOOLA reportedly told USAP that the approved paddles were not the same as the ones being sold. This led USAP to remove all Gen 3 models from its approved list. A second round of testing confirmed the retail paddles did not meet standards.
Suffered my first (with many to come) headshot from a @joolapickleball paddle today. They’re out of control and ruining the game @PPAtour @MajorLeaguePB @Pickleball
— Zane Navratil (@ZaneNavratil) May 15, 2024
JOOLA’s $200 Million Lawsuit
In June 2024, JOOLA responded with a lawsuit accusing USAP of biased testing and failing to follow Rule 2.F.1, which requires 18 months’ notice before revoking paddle approval. JOOLA demanded $200 million in damages. USAP tried to dismiss the case, but the effort failed in court.
USAP Fires Back
USAP’s countersuit outlines that JOOLA misled them by submitting softer paddles and then selling different ones. The paddles that reached customers allegedly had double the foam and poor build quality.
“In short, the publicly available paddles were not the same as the paddles submitted for approval. Instead, JOOLA had doubled (or more) the amount of foam in the mass-produced paddles. The paddles were also lower quality based on the irregular, expanding foam around the rim. JOOLA had never disclosed this to USAP yet continued to represent to the public that the paddles were “approved.” USAP had never approved this different paddle, which JOOLA deceptively marketed to the public under the same name as the approved paddle.” – (statement from USAP’s lawsuit)
What USAP Wants from the Case
USAP’s countersuit is seeking:
Treble damages for financial loss
Profits earned from Gen 3 paddle sales, tripled
Punitive damages
A court declaration that JOOLA mislabeled its paddles
Interest payments on damages
Attorney’s fees and legal costs
Ongoing Battle with No Clear End
This legal conflict between JOOLA and USAP has been developing for nearly a year. With both sides locked in competing lawsuits, the future of paddle approval and manufacturer trust in pickleball remains uncertain.
News in Brief: USA Pickleball’s Countersuit Against JOOLA
USA Pickleball has countersued JOOLA, claiming the paddle maker sold different models than the ones USAP approved. The April 2025 suit accuses JOOLA of using a “bait-and-switch” tactic with its Gen 3 paddles. This follows JOOLA’s $200 million lawsuit against USAP last June. The legal fight continues.
ALSO READ: JOOLA Faces Lawsuit for Selling Pickleball Paddles with Fake Approved by USAP Label