Pro Pickleball Players Now Earning More Than WNBA and NWSL Athletes

The world of professional pickleball has seen a remarkable surge in popularity and profitability over the past year, with top players now commanding salaries that outpace those in more established women’s sports leagues. According to recent data from the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the average annual salary for pro pickleball players has reached an impressive $260,000 – surpassing the highest-paid WNBA player’s salary and more than doubling the average pay in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

This financial milestone marks a significant turning point for pickleball as it continues its rapid ascent in the American sports landscape. For those unfamiliar with the sport, pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball, it has gained immense popularity among players of all ages due to its accessibility and social nature.

A Unified League Leads to Growth

The impressive salary figures come in the wake of a major organizational shift within professional pickleball. In February 2024, Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association completed a long-awaited merger, creating the United Pickleball Association (UPA). This consolidation, which included a $75 million investment from outside sources, has proven to be a game-changer for the sport’s business model.

Samin Odhwani, Chief Strategy Officer for the UPA, highlighted the benefits of this unification: “It’s just these immense efficiencies that came about as we were able to merge, and as a result, it was great for our business.” The merger has opened doors for cross-promotional opportunities, attracting more sponsors and creating a more cohesive marketing strategy for the sport as a whole.

Impressive Growth Metrics

The financial success of pro pickleball players is just one indicator of the sport’s overall growth. The UPA reported several other impressive metrics for the 2024 season:

• Attendance at PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events reached 320,000 fans, a 40% increase from the previous year.
• For the first time, revenue from ticket sales surpassed that from amateur registration fees.
• Fans watched over 350 hours of pickleball on television across major networks like Fox, CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime, and the Tennis Channel.
• PickleballTV, a joint venture between the UPA and the Tennis Channel, reported that fans streamed over a billion minutes of pickleball content during the season.
• The sponsorship business grew by 50% year-over-year, with more than 50 sponsors across both the PPA Tour and MLP brands.

These numbers paint a picture of a sport that is not just growing, but thriving in its newfound unified structure.

The Road to Profitability

The journey to this level of financial success for pro pickleball players has not been without its challenges. In December 2023, some players formed a collective to voice concerns about the future of Major League Pickleball after being asked to take a 40% pay cut. This move likely played a role in accelerating the merger and subsequent investments that have led to the current prosperity.

Today, the UPA reports that pro pickleball players earned more than $30 million collectively in 2024, based on salary alone and not including endorsement deals. This figure is especially impressive when compared to other professional sports leagues, particularly in women’s athletics.

Star Power Driving Growth

The success of professional pickleball can be attributed in part to the emergence of star players who are captivating audiences and attracting sponsors. Athletes like 17-year-old phenom Anna Leigh Waters and top-ranked players Federico Staksrud and Ben Johns have become household names in the pickleball community and are helping to elevate the sport’s profile.

These stars are not only excelling on the court but are also becoming influential figures off it, helping to attract new fans and players to the sport. Their success stories and growing popularity are crucial in securing lucrative sponsorship deals and media contracts that contribute to the overall financial health of the league.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Pro Pickleball

With such impressive growth in its first year as a unified professional sport, the future looks bright for pickleball. Odhwani projects that UPA revenue should top $100 million in the next few years, indicating that there is still significant room for expansion.

The UPA has outlined several priorities for the coming years:

• Expanding media rights partnerships to increase visibility and reach
• Growing the amateur business to create a stronger pipeline of talent and engage more recreational players
• Continuing to build existing pros into household names in the broader world of sports

These goals suggest that the UPA is focused not just on short-term gains, but on building a sustainable and thriving professional sports league for the long term.

Implications for the Broader Sports Landscape

The rapid rise of professional pickleball and its ability to offer competitive salaries has implications that extend beyond the sport itself. It raises questions about the allocation of resources and attention in the sports world, particularly when it comes to women’s professional leagues.

The fact that pro pickleball players are now earning more than athletes in established leagues like the WNBA and NWSL could put pressure on these organizations to re-evaluate their pay structures and business models. It also highlights the potential for newer, more agile sports leagues to disrupt the traditional sports hierarchy.

Conclusion

The story of professional pickleball’s financial success in 2024 is one of rapid growth, smart business decisions, and the power of unification. By bringing together the sport’s top organizations and securing significant investment, the United Pickleball Association has created an environment where players can thrive financially while the sport continues to expand its reach.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity at both the amateur and professional levels, it will be fascinating to watch how it impacts the broader sports landscape. Will other niche sports follow pickleball’s model for success? How will established leagues respond to this new competitor for fans, sponsors, and media attention?

One thing is clear: pickleball is no longer just a casual pastime. It has evolved into a serious professional sport with the financial clout to match. As Odhwani succinctly put it, “2024 was the best year ever for pro pickleball.” Based on the current trajectory, it seems the best may be yet to come.