Browsing: Pickleball News

Pickleball is on the rise in the nation’s capital, with many leagues, clubs, and courts popping up throughout the District. Responding to the demand for more court space in Washington, Kraken will be opening the doors to their newly constructed Kraken Kourts. Kraken Kourts will be the largest indoor pickleball facility in Washington D.C. The business contains 16 standalone, regulation-sized courts, a huge 40-foot long bar, and plenty of spectator seating. Located in D.C.’s Edgewood neighborhood in the MRP Bryant Street Development, Kraken Kourts was created by Anna Valero, president of Kraken Axes and Rage. Valero noticed the increasing demand…

The company that brings the biggest alternative and mainstream rock acts to Chicago for the annual Lollapalooza festival is doing is doing its part to boost city residents’ access to pickleball.

If the merger between Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association’s (PPA) Vibe League was the proverbial shot over the bow of the Association of Professional Pickleball (APP), then the APP returned fire in a manner that clearly says, we are here to stay! APP is Alive and Well In a not-so-subtle open letter to the pickleball community, the APP wastes no time with niceties. The very first line reads, “The APP is here to stay.” As if to say, we see you MLP/PPA and you have it all wrong. The letter continues with additional ammo aimed directly…

Star power has been a part of Major League Pickleball’s growth playbook for some time now. But today’s announcement might be the biggest use of star power to date. Just days after their 2023 Premier Level draft, the MLP announced its Challenger Level’s team names, players, and owners. Effectively a who’s who of professional athletes, actors, models, musicians, entrepreneurs, and brands, this smattering of celebrity influence will help the league roll into 2023 with incredible momentum. “The diversity in the backgrounds and expertise of our fantastic new owners is an incredible asset as we aggressively expand Major League Pickleball to…

Like it or not, pickleball is here to stay. Tennis stars are letting their opinions be known on where they stand on this booming Sport. Fighting Among Themselves Recently, Rennae Stubbs, a decorated women’s doubles champion from Australia, took a direct shot at pickleball when she tweeted: Nick Kyrgios, also a tennis star from Australia and quite accomplished in his own right, quickly clapped back in defense of the investment in professional pickleball, sighting the likes of Lebron James and Kevin Durant, two basketball superstars, to bolster his position on the merits of pickleball. Let’s break down Stubbs’ statement in…

There is no wasting away in this Margaritaville, in the latest announcement from MLP last week. Quite the contrary. This is a momentous moment for both organizations. This commitment to pickleball is as significant as it comes, as the league will be known as “MLP by Margaritaville.” Why is this a relationship made in pickleball heaven? Passionate Followers Jimmy Buffett is an icon with a passionate following for all things Buffett, including his restaurants, resorts, and even dedicated communities, all branded with one of his most famous songs, “Margaritaville.” Those that have found the game of pickleball are an…

Pickleball courts are springing up across the United States. But even that isn’t enough for this fast-growing sport: Cruise lines are opening their own courts, too, meaning that you can increasingly play this sport while sailing the high seas.

An upcoming pickleball tournament at the United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls, may lead to a new trend in sports entertainment. Chris Clark, an avid proponent of pickleball within the Chicago community, spearheads a new effort to get the sport in front of as many eyeballs as possible. Clark has partnered with the Chicago Bulls to bring pickleball into an NBA arena for the first time, allowing hoops fans to be a part of the fastest-growing sport in the country. The tournament will be played on Dec. 30 before the Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons, encouraging newcomers and…

Today marks an auspicious day in the history of Pickleball. Today. Is. Draft. Day. Major League Pickleball has set the stage for what could turn out to be one of the most entertaining annual events in the pickleball season. The combination of celebrity team owners, a new league format, and some of the most talented athletes in the sport’s history is sure to excite the pickleball community. And it’s all televised live on The Tennis Channel. But first, let’s look at the format of the draft. MLP Draft Explained In 2023, MLP will consist of two levels, Premier and Challenger. The…

Pickleball continues to ascend the ranks among its racquetball relatives in tennis, badminton, and table tennis; however, this rise in popularity hasn’t come without some pushback. Many die-hard tennis players are now fighting to keep their courts from being flooded by the new wave of pickleball players. According to a recent study by The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), more than 4.8 million pickleball players are now in the United States. This represents a remarkable 39.3% growth in the last two years, making pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America. Out with the old, in with the new One of…