World Tennis Magazine

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Pickleball

A Pickleball Channel Is Now Reality

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Tennis Channel and the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) have launched Pickleballtv (PBTV), a television network completely devoted to America’s fastest-growing sport. Available now on Amazon Freevee and Fubo, the new, 24-hour media home of pickleball will show more than 30 top-level live PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) team events, original programming and a weekly studio news show.  Pickleballtv, like Tennis Channel, will offer thorough coverage of the sport’s professional ranks along with content created for its expanding number of recreational enthusiasts.  

Making its debut during the PPA Tour National Championships in Dallas this week, Pickleballtv will most often show live or encore match coverage featuring the best professional players in the world battling at the most important events in the sport. Interspersed with this competition are Getting to Know You features on the men and women who make up the PPA Tour and MLP, stars like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau. There will also be instructional programs that help amateurs understand and improve their own on-court capabilities, with episodes on serve strategy, dinking, volley drills, midcourt play, backhands, shifting and overheads, among others. A celebrity pickleball show is in the works, as is a weekly studio news show.   Both the PPA Tour and Tennis Channel expect Pickleballtv to become one-stop shopping for fans who want to stay on top of this exponentially growing sport.  

“Tennis Channel and the PPA Tour are doing something that hasn’t been done before – taking a fast-growing sport in its infancy and attaching an experienced, state-of-the-art media arm to its development in the form of Pickleballtv,” said Ken Solomon, president, Tennis Channel. “We have no doubt that 24/7, consistent, daily coverage of the best players, events and news on a dedicated pickleball channel will generate new fans and give existing ones a place to call home,  thus expanding the sport’s overall reach and global popularity. We’ve driven massive new awareness with Tennis Channel during the past two decades and we expect nothing less with this exciting new network and explosive, young pro sport and easy-to-learn, highly addictive grassroots game.”  

According to February’s annual Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation Report, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for three consecutive years, increasing 159% in that time. Professional tennis stars Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard and Sam Querrey have recently thrown their hats into the PPA Tour ring and will appear on Pickleballtv. Meanwhile, MLP, the team league that is part of the PPA Tour, has garnered attention due to a long line of well-known owners, including Tom Brady, Eva Longoria, LeBron James, Chris Evert, Naomi Osaka and Hall of Fame Tennis Channel-analyst Tracy Austin.  

“The PPA Tour has worked in lockstep with Tennis Channel, and we’re proud to launch Pickleballtv coinciding with the largest tournament in pickleball history.  There are so many exciting things happening in our sport right now, and the addition of daily media coverage capable of reaching an unprecedented audience for the sport is a watershed moment for pickleball enthusiasts everywhere who want continuous access to a host of unique and innovative content,” said Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of the PPA Tour.  “The PPA Tour is home to tremendously gifted athletes who deserve to be household names, and Pickleballtv will facilitate that transition.  Prepare to be entertained with a variety of outstanding programming that will take your fandom to new heights!”  

The launch coincides with the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Powered by Invited and the PPA Tour in Dallas, one of the largest events of the season. Pickleballtv provided live coverage of a celebrity pickleball exhibition that featured a variety of Texas-related sports stars. The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown showcased basketball’s Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, football’s Tony Romo, golf’s Scottie Scheffler, hockey’s Marty Turco and tennis’ John Isner joined by several of the best players on the PPA Tour.  

In September Tennis Channel and the PPA Tour announced a commercial joint venture to grow pickleball in the United States and around the world. Under the agreement, most PPA Tour matches appear live on Tennis Channel’s various media platforms and both organizations coordinate advertising-sales activities. Tennis Channel also produces all events for the PPA Tour, regardless of the media outlets on which they first appear. The PPA Tour and Tennis Channel are in conversation with multiple distribution partners to roll Pickleballtv out to as many homes as possible.  

About Carvana PPA Tour The Carvana PPA Tour is the professional tour of pickleball, organizing events and rankings for the top male and female pickleball players worldwide and awarding more than $5.5 million in annual prize money with equal play and pay. The Carvana PPA Tour is set to host 25 events in 2023 at world-class facilities like the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Mission Hills Country Club in California, and the Darling Tennis Center and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Inviting all to compete and “play where the pros play,” the Carvana PPA Tour offers amateur divisions of play for every level, unparalleled experiences for fans and spectators, gorgeous venues, pro player meet-and-greets, food/beverages, live entertainment, VIP upgrades, giveaways and games, shopping, vendors, and more. Founded in 2018 and based in Salt Lake City, the Carvana PPA Tour is operated by parent corporation, Pickleball.com. For more information, go to www.ppatour.com. See Pro Player Profiles and follow us on social: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tennis Channel (www.tennischannel.com) which is owned by Sinclair Inc., is the only television-based multiplatform destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. The network has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television in one of the world’s most voluminous sports, with multiple men’s and women’s tournaments and singles, doubles and mixed competition throughout the year. Tennis Channel has rights at the four majors – US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open) and Australian Open – and is the exclusive U.S. home of all men’s ATP World Tour and women’s WTA Tour competitions, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup, and Laver Cup. Direct-to-consumer streaming service Tennis Channel Plus is available to everyone in the United States and allows subscribers to select from another 4,500 live and on-demand matches and award-winning content from short-form to films throughout the tennis season. Tennis Channel International bring live competition and network content to markets in Europe and Asia via digital subscription and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels. Additional platform www.tennis.com is the largest digital outlet dedicated to the sport. Tennis Channel also manages a network of close to 20 podcasts.  

About Sinclair, Inc. Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD and The Nest; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

Maria Sharapova, Steffi Graf To Join Andre Agassi, John McEnroe For Pickleball “Slam 2”

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Tennis icons John McEnroe and Andre Agassi return for the Pickleball Slam, and will be joined by Stefanie Graf and Maria Sharapova, two of the greatest female tennis players of all time. The four legends will compete in SLAM 2 for a total prize purse of $1 million. Created and produced by Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) and InsideOut Sports & Entertainment (ISE), SLAM 2 will be televised live in primetime, exclusively on ESPN on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. (EST) from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. 

Tickets for SLAM 2 go on sale today, July 18, at noon and start at $46. Tickets are available at myhrl.com and Ticketmaster. All seats are reserved. Doors open one hour before the event. Additional fees may apply. 

SLAM 2 will be highlighted by an electrifying doubles match featuring the duo of McEnroe and Sharapova, who have a total of 12 Grand Slam singles titles between them, facing off against Agassi and Graf, who earned a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles during their respective careers.   

The inaugural Pickleball Slam showcased McEnroe, Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang competing for a $1 million purse, the largest tournament purse in pickleball history. The event was broadcast live on Sunday, April 2, 2023 on ESPN before a record-breaking capacity crowd at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. A first-of-its-kind event, the afternoon telecast was the highest-rated competition in pickleball history. 

“Following the success of the inaugural Pickleball Slam, we’re excited to once again partner with and return to the Hard Rock and present SLAM 2 in primetime on ESPN, an ideal timeslot coming out of the network’s coverage of the NFL Pro Bowl and a NBA regular season game,” said David Levy, Co-CEO of HS&E. “It’s great to have both John and Andre return for SLAM 2. In pairing them up with Stefanie and Maria, two of the greatest and most competitive players in the history of tennis, there’s sure to be no shortage of incredible action and entertaining moments on the court.” 

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Horizon Sports & Entertainment and InsideOut Sports again for the return of the Pickleball Slam to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “The inaugural event last April was a resounding success, with Hard Rock’s desire to be entertainment first-movers paying massive dividends. This time around, we’ll build on our initial success with John McEnroe and Andre Agassi, by also adding Steffi Graf and Maria Sharapova to the lineup – arguably two of the best players of all time in racquet sports.  To have all this in The Guitar Hotel live in primetime on ESPN; it’s going be a special evening of pickleball.”  

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“After Andy and I took home the hardware at the first Pickleball Slam, I said I would be playing pickleball as long as I can walk – that’s how much I enjoy this game. Naturally, I am so excited to share this experience with one of the best tennis players, my wife,” said Agassi. 

“When I watched the inaugural Pickleball Slam in April and stepped onto the court, I was hooked. Andre and I can’t wait to get back out on the court together to face off against Maria and John,” said Graf. 

AMATEUR SLAM CHALLENGE RETURNS 

The weekend will once again feature the Amateur Slam Challenge on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb 3, 2024. The amateur tournament will include doubles teams competing for a cash prize and the opportunity to play against the tennis legends. 

For more information and to register for the Amateur Slam Challenge, visit www.thepickleballslam.com.   

PLAYER INFORMATION 

Andre Agassi is one of the most successful and recognized players in the history of tennis, capturing eight Grand Slam titles during his Hall of Fame career, including the career Grand Slam for winning each of the four major professional tennis tournaments – Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the U.S. Open at least once.  He also captured the gold medal at 1996 Atlanta Olympics. 

In 1988, Stefanie Graf earned tennis immortality when she became the first player to win all four major singles titles and the gold medal during the Summer Olympics.  Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she won 22 major singles titles during her Hall of Fame career and was ranked the number one women’s singles player in the world for a record of 377 weeks. 

Recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of professional tennis, John McEnroe won 17 Grand Slam titles, including four singles titles at the U.S. Open and three Wimbledon titles.  He captured a remarkable 77 single titles, as well as 77 doubles titles, and is the only male player in tennis history to simultaneously hold the world number one ranking in both singles and doubles.  During his illustrious Hall of Fame career, he also contributed to five Davis Cup titles for the U.S. and was a team captain.

Considered one of the best competitors of her generation, Maria Sharapova is one of only 10 women to achieve the career Grand Slam. During her stellar career, she also won a silver medal in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics. 

ABOUT HORIZON SPORTS & EXPERIENCES (HS&E) 

Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) is an affiliate of Horizon Media, the largest U.S. media agency according to AdAge Data Center 2022, and provides a unique and complementary combination of sports, experiential marketing, and media capabilities. HS&E has a core focus on IP creation and monetization, strategic advisory and consulting, media rights, sponsorship, sales, and experiential, Metaverse, and Web3.0 strategy and activation. HS&E is led by co-CEOs David Levy and Chris Weil. 

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT (ISE) 

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment (ISE) is a Los Angeles based independent event producer founded in 2004 by former world No.1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. InsideOut owns and operates numerous proprietary events and promotions including Champions Series Tennis, the Legendary Night Series, The World Series of Beach Volleyball, Major League Pickleball and numerous customized private and public outings. To date, InsideOut has produced over 300 events in 44 states and 12 countries and is committed to a strong charity tie-in with every public event it owns or produces.  Since inception, InsideOut events have contributed over $5 million to various charitable causes. 

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About Hard Rock Live 

Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is South Florida’s premier entertainment venue. An investment of more than $125 million, the 7,000-person capacity indoor venue features clamshell-style seating, offering guests an intimate experience. In 2023, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood won an Academy of Country Music Award in the Casino of the Year – Theater Category. Hard Rock Live also ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories. Designed by Scéno Plus, the 225,000-square-foot facility is equipped with state-of-the-art, in-house sound and lighting, large HD viewing screens and mobile-stage technology. With its advanced capabilities, Hard Rock Live can support some of the entertainment industry’s biggest performers, as well as nationally and internationally televised awards shows, sporting events and more. A-list entertainers to perform at Hard Rock Live include The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Maroon 5, Billy Joel, and Dave Chappelle, among others.  

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,700 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com call (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.  

Is A Pickleball Machine Worth It to Practice Your Skills in 2023

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Introduction

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that has taken the world by storm. It is a fun and exciting game that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. One of the challenges of playing pickleball is finding someone to practice with consistently. This is where a pickleball machine comes in handy. A pickleball machine can help players improve their skills, increase their speed, and enhance their overall performance on the court. However, before investing in a pickleball machine, it’s essential to consider its pros and cons to determine if it’s worth the investment. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about a pickleball machine to help you make an informed decision.

What is a pickleball machine?

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that has gained popularity in recent years. However, practicing alone can be challenging, which is where a pickleball machine comes in handy. A pickleball machine is a device that automatically feeds balls to the player, allowing them to practice their shots and improve their skills.

There are several types of pickleball machines available on the market, ranging from basic models to more advanced ones with various features such as spin control and oscillation. Some of the most popular brands include Lobster, Simon, Tutor, and Spinshot.

Using a pickleball machine is relatively simple. The player sets up the machine at one end of the court and adjusts the settings according to their preferences. They can then stand at the other end of the court and hit the balls as they come out of the machine.

Overall, a pickleball machine can be an excellent investment for players who want to improve their skills and practice on their own time. However, it’s important to consider factors such as cost, portability, and features before making a purchase decision.

How to use a pickleball ball machine

Using a pickleball machine is a great way to improve your skills and take your game to the next level. Before using the machine, it’s important to familiarize yourself with its features and settings. Most machines come with an instruction manual that outlines how to set up and use the machine properly. It’s also a good idea to watch instructional videos or seek advice from experienced players.

When using a pickleball machine, start with the basics such as practicing your forehand and backhand shots. Once you feel comfortable, you can adjust the settings to simulate different types of shots such as lobs, volleys, and serves. It’s important to remember that using a pickleball machine should not replace playing with other players but rather complement it.

Overall, using a pickleball machine is a great investment for those looking to improve their skills and practice on their own time. With proper use and practice, it can help players become more confident on the court and take their game to new heights.

Considerations for a pickleball ball machine

When considering purchasing a pickleball ball machine, there are a few factors to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to consider your skill level and how often you play pickleball. If you’re a beginner or only play occasionally, investing in a pickleball machine may not be worth the cost. However, if you’re an experienced player looking to improve your skills or practice more frequently, a pickleball machine can be a valuable tool.

Another consideration is the type of features you want in your machine. Some machines offer random oscillation and delay timer features, while others have larger ball capacities. It’s important to research different models and determine which features are most important for your needs.

Lastly, it’s important to consider the cost of the machine and whether it fits within your budget. While some machines can be quite expensive, there are also more affordable options available.

Overall, when considering whether a pickleball machine is worth it for you, it’s important to weigh the cost against the potential benefits and determine if it aligns with your goals as a player.

Pros Of pickleball machine

A pickleball machine can be a valuable tool for players of all skill levels. One of the biggest advantages of using a pickleball machine is the ability to practice your shots and strategies without relying on a teammate or opponent. This is especially helpful if you don’t have anyone to play with or want to work on specific skills at your own pace. Additionally, pickleball machines offer a consistent and reliable way to practice, allowing you to focus on your technique and improve your game over time.

Another benefit of owning a pickleball machine is the convenience it provides. With a machine, you can practice whenever and wherever you want, without having to coordinate schedules with other players or worry about finding an available court. This flexibility can be particularly useful for those with busy schedules or limited access to courts.

Overall, while there are some drawbacks to owning a pickleball machine (such as cost), the benefits make it a worthwhile investment for many players looking to improve their game.

Cons Of pickleball machine

While a pickleball machine can be a valuable tool for improving your skills, there are also some drawbacks to consider. One of the biggest cons is the cost. Pickleball machines can be quite expensive, with some models costing upwards of $2,000. This may not be feasible for everyone, especially if you only play pickleball recreationally.

Another downside is that pickleball machines can be bulky and difficult to transport. If you plan on using the machine at different locations or bringing it to tournaments, you’ll need to have a way to transport it safely. Additionally, some players may find that practicing with a machine isn’t as enjoyable as playing with other people.

Despite these drawbacks, many players still find that a pickleball machine is worth the investment for the convenience and versatility it provides in training. Ultimately, whether or not a pickleball machine is worth it depends on your individual needs and preferences as a player.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether or not a pickleball machine is worth it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and goals. If you are serious about improving your skills and want to practice consistently, a pickleball machine can be an excellent investment. It allows you to work on specific shots and techniques without relying on a partner or coach. Additionally, it can save you time and money in the long run by reducing the need for court rentals or lessons. However, if you only play recreationally or have access to regular partners, a pickleball machine may not be necessary. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make based on your individual needs and priorities.

“This Pickleball Thing Is Crazy. I Don’t Get It.” John McEnroe To Pat McAfee

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John McEnroe is set to play in the “Pickleball Slam” event at Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida with Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang on Sunday, April 2, televised live at Noon on ESPN. In advance of the event, McEnroe was a guest on the Pat McAfee Show, hosted by McAfee, the former college and NFL Punter who also is a personality on the college football show ESPN College GameDay. McEnroe, in his outspoken self, had plenty to say about pickleball versus tennis. Here are some of the highlights below. We recommend you listen to the entire podcast and subscribe to the Pat McAfee podcast and YouTube Channel where you can watch the entire interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3NlFFQ-lS4

“As we get older, we’re covering less and less of the court so this seemed to make more sense since it’s about a third the size, but I’m not a big pickleball guy. It beats my body up. But this was sort of a too good to pass up to be playing against my old buddy, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang as a partner. I mean this pickleball thing is crazy. I don’t get it. But in the meantime, hopefully it’ll be fun and hopefully it’ll bring some interest to the sport that I do really care about, which is tennis.” – John McEnroe

“I’m amazed that people take it quite as seriously as they apparently do, compared to our sport. But that’s for other people to decide. I would compare it to the NFL. It’s like a poor man’s Arena Football.” – John McEnroe

“Unfortunately, what you can do with the ball is limited. It’s plastic. You’ve got little rackets like you’re playing racquetball or squash, but a lot of my buddies like to play with me. It’s a leveler playing field, obviously. They think they can beat me and in some cases probably some of them could. Not the ones that I’ve been playing with recently. But we’ll see, I don’t know how much they’re playing either. I’ve been working more on just trying to have the body feel good because as you get a little older, little bit tougher to keep the body in tip-top condition.” – John McEnroe

“In pickleball you’re not doing a whole lot of running, obviously, because it’s a tiny court, but you do have to bend a little, which isn’t good as you stiffen up. Generally, I’ve always kept at it (working out/staying in shape), so this hasn’t been that difficult. If anything, I would prefer to play less because the next day… Doctors are going to be thrilled with pickleball. These people are going to get hurt left and right. So you think you can walk out there and, ‘Oh, yeah, this is great. We’ll just have some fun here and not worry about the body’ and they tear an Achilles and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I should have warmed up.’” – John McEnroe

“I don’t know if you ever saw me play tennis, but naturally I like to move forward, which I think is advantageous in pickleball. I don’t want to give Agassi any ideas because he liked to stay in the baseline. So just stay back there as long as you want Andre. Roddick had one of the biggest serves in the history of our sport, but in pickleball you can’t serve over him, so he lost that advantage also. So this gives us old farts, me and Michael Chang, a chance at this. If you’re in the front court in pickleball, you want to hit a lot of balls to me in the air, just outside. Why they call it the kitchen or why it’s called pickleball, I have no idea.” – John McEnroe

“(Pickleball) doesn’t sound particularly cool to me. But we’ve always had trouble in my sport to get our sport to be considered cool or thought of in the same way as the other bigger sports. So it’s been a frustration for 45 years for me. I’m going out and yelling at an umpire and sometimes saying choice words, and I’m guessing that they’re not saying “Hello, how are you?” on the football field.” – John McEnroe

“Pickleball doubles is played way more than singles. Why is that? The court’s already a third the size, or whenever it is, of tennis, now they’re playing doubles. I mean, what is it so you can sit in a chair while you play, while you’re at it? I mean, come on.” – John McEnroe

McAfee and his guest host former NFL football star Pacman Jones also had some quotes on Pickleball as well…

Pat McAfee said, “It’s a great little cardio activity that is pretty easy to do. I think it’s going to be a tough road for pickleball to try to catch up to tennis when it comes to prestige, when it comes to sport. You know what I mean?”

Pacman Jones said “John, I totally agree with you on the athletic ability that you have to have to play pickleball, which is zero, because I haven’t won a game here.”

ESPN, Which Broadcasts Only Three Tennis Tournaments, To Broadcast Eight APP Pickleball Events In 2023

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ESPN and the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) announced an agreement for ESPN2 to broadcast eight, one-hour event recap shows on ESPN2, and ESPN+ to stream more than 200 hours of live coverage of eight of the APP Tour’s 2023 events, expanding coverage of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports.

“As pickleball continues to grow in popularity across the country rapidly, we are looking forward to serving fans with coverage of the APP Tour across our ESPN platforms,” said Tim Bunnell, Senior Vice President, Programming, ESPN.  “We are excited to be part of this sport’s upward trajectory.”

“This is a historic announcement for pickleball,” commented Tom Webb, APP Chief Marketing Officer. “We are delighted to team up with ESPN to showcase the talents and stories of the best players in the world, and enable millions of pickleball players nationwide to tune in to our tournaments.”

By contrast, ESPN only broadcast three tennis tournaments on its air, albeit Grand Slam tournaments, the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

All eight tournaments will stream on ESPN+, highlighted by:  

  • The 2023 APP Daytona Beach Open (Feb. 9 – 12), held at one of pickleball’s most remarkable venues – Pictona at Holly Hill – featuring 49 courts and a 1,500-seat stadium for championship play.
  • The 2023 APP New York City Open (May 24 – 28), taking place at the world-famous Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows. Pickleball’s crown jewel, staged in one of the most famous sports venues worldwide, where more than 1,200 players will compete in New York’s biggest pickleball event.
  • The 2023 APP season finale (Nov. 30 – Dec. 3) in Houston, the culmination of the 2023 APP Tour season where the champions of men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles will be crowned.

The remaining tournaments streaming live on ESPN+ are Newport Beach, Calif. (June 29 – July 2), Philadelphia (Aug. 24 – 27), Chicago (Aug. 31 – Sept. 3), and Dallas (Oct. 5 – 8).

ESPN+ coverage of the 2023 APP season will kick off with the Daytona Beach Open in February and a recap will air on Sunday, February 12, at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. Full details of the 2023 schedule are available at APPTour.org. Intersport will produce coverage of the APP Tour in association with ESPN.

About the APP

Founded in 2019, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) serves professionals, senior professionals and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the USA. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2023 APP Tour slate has already announced 16 tournament stops, in addition to International and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives.

About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

Pickleball Sweeping America And America Needs Sweeping, Says Fox & Friends

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Fox & Friends is the top-ranked cable news program in the mornings in the United States and the sport of Pickleball has been a popular top of conversation among its three hosts Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt.

“It is the sport that is sweeping America and you know how much America needs sweeping” said Doocy.

After reporting that Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady was investing into a professional pickleball team, the three hosts discussed that they would like to own a franchise and before a segment on October 20, 2022, further discussed the sport in two segments before ending the show with a seemingly disorganized and confusing pickleball exhibition match on the plaza out near the street in New York City.

Here is the transcript of the conversation between Kilmeade, Doocy and Earhardt before their show-ending pickleball exhibition.

FIRST SEGMENT

Brian Kilmeade: …where I will, for the first time, have a chance to witness and then take part in pickleball. It’s a plastic pickleball. A composite of wooden or paddle. You have a wood paddle, I understand. First played in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. It took a while to kick in, but now it is the rage of this nation.

Steve Doocy: Well, and in fact, I was down in The Villages a couple of weeks ago, and this weekend I was practicing with my daughter Sally….It is a lot of fun. But The Villages, they’ve got 200 pickleball courts. They are regarded as the mecca of pickleball for the world. And we learned about that like 15 years ago when we were down there doing the show.

Ainsley Earhardt: Now Tom Brady’s buying a franchise.

Steve Doocy: Yeah, I know.

Ainsley Earhardt: A lot of people are looking into that as well. It’s a new sport but it’s a fun sport. A fairly new sport.

Steve Doocy: Well, let me just tell you Ainsley, we might be buying a franchise.

Ainsley Earhardt: I would love a Fox franchise.

Steve Doocy: Because right now you need $50,000 in liquid cash. You need a net worth of $75,000. And $35,000 to start your team. I don’t know if that means jerseys. I don’t know the locker room, chewing gum.

Brian Kilmeade: See, I think you are trying to get to the place where we would play Tom Brady’s team.

Steve Doocy: We would run.

Brian Kilmeade: We would have to be in the same league.

Steve Doocy: Well, let’s be it. Let’s do it.

Brian Kilmeade: It’s up to the league.

Steve Doocy: I’m sure the league will accept us.

Brian Kilmeade: Draymond Green and LeBron James and Tom Brady. How great would that be? I’m sorry guys. I’m a little tense today. Got Tom Brady tonight. I’ve been dying to say that my whole life.

Ainsley Earhardt: You’re not ready to play us? Because he played this past weekend. I played Saturday and Sunday.

Brian Kilmeade: Never played.

Ainsley Earhardt: You’re going to love it.

Brian Kilmeade: But I’m going to be, We have made up the teams. Is this correct?

Ainsley Earhardt: Yes.

Brian Kilmeade: Should we announce it?

Ainsley Earhardt: Yes.

Steve Doocy: Yes.

Ainsley Earhardt: The two of us are playing you and Carly (Shimkus).

Steve Doocy: That’s right.

Ainsley Earhardt: And Janice (Dean) is going to judge with this wonderful pickleball coach.

Steve Doocy: Because Brian, if you remember when we first mentioned this last week when we said we should play each other, you said, “Okay, fine. I’m taking Ted.” You just deserted the two of us. And it’s like, I’m going to take Ted. Ted’s a great tennis player.

Ainsley Earhardt: Carly how you feel? You’re, You’re the second choice.

Carly Shimkus: I am the alternate.

Brian Kilmeade: What happened to Ted?

Steve Doocy: Ted is not playing.

Ainsley Earhardt: Ted is such a good tennis player. That is, you would have the advantage.

Steve Doocy: Yeah. No kidding. What? Carly?

Carly Shimkus: Brian’s smart. I should be second choice.

Steve Doocy: Well, are you wearing heels?

Carly Shimkus: I’ve got my sneakers already to go though. And leggings.

Ainsley Earhardt: Yep.

Carly Shimkus: To be aero-dynamic.

Brian Kilmeade: All right. I’ll wear a leggings too then.

Ainsley Earhardt: We might not play well, but you’ll look good.

Carly Shimkus: That, so That’s right.

Brian Kilmeade: We might, You’re looking at possibly the… You could be in our ownership group, the future owners of a pickleball franchise.

Ainsley Earhardt: I love it.

Brian Kilmeade: Try outs Wednesday at noon.

Steve Doocy: You will, listen-

Ainsley Earhardt: I thought they would be like millions of dollars. We could put our money together and buy a team.

Brian Kilmeade: In two years we’ll sell it for millions.

Steve Doocy: Yeah. Well first you should play it. You haven’t even played it yet. It’s so much fun.

Brian Kilmeade: It goes well I’m buying the team.

Steve Doocy: It’s so easy. Here’s the thing about pickleball. That’s great. You don’t really move.

Ainsley Earhardt: You really don’t.

Brian Kilmeade: Oh really?

Ainsley Earhardt: Although you still have a lot of steps though. Did you check your steps afterwards?

Steve Doocy: No.

Ainsley Earhardt: I did.

Steve Doocy: I didn’t move much. I’m just saying.

Ainsley Earhardt: All right, let’s talk. Should we talk about…

Brian Kilmeade: The last thing I will add is a lot of people wanted to invest in racquetball in the seventies. That was a mistake because no one plays it anymore.

Steve Doocy: Well, that was in the seventies Brian, that was 50 years ago.

Brian Kilmeade: I don’t want to be caught with the only guy with a pickleball rack in five years. It’s a pickleball, no one plays it.

Ainsley Earhardt: I think it’ll be an Olympic sport eventually.

Steve Doocy: Maybe.

Brian Kilmeade: Yeah. Why not?

Ainsley Earhardt: Some of these people are really good.

Steve Doocy: They’re really good.

Ainsley Earhardt: Have you watched any of them online?

Steve Doocy: They’re fantastic.

Ainsley Earhardt: You’ve got to watch the videos.

Steve Doocy:

And we’ve got a professional who’s going to be joining us to give us tips.

Ainsley Earhardt: Yes.

Steve Doocy: And the number one tip. Stay out of the kitchen.

Ainsley Earhardt: The kitchen is the top of the court. We’ll show you.

Steve Doocy: Stay out of the kitchen.

Brian Kilmeade: Really?

Ainsley Earhardt: They call it the kitchen.

Steve Doocy: Unlike what I’ve been saying over the last month, we learn to cook, which is going to the kitchen.

SECOND SEGMENT

Brian Kilmeade The kitchen….It’s a dead zone there.

Steve Doocy That’s the kitchen.

Ainsley Earhardt: Stay out of the kitchen.

Brian Kimeade Yes. Stay out of the kitchen. I feel like who’s on first? All right. So it’s got to bounce in the kitchen.

Ainsley Earhardt: It can bounce in the kitchen.

Steve Doocy: You can’t go in the kitchen. You can’t stand in the kitchen when you are receiving.

Brian Kilmeade: Right.

Steve Doocy: When you’re receiving. Nancy’s going to go over all the rules. Listen, this is so much fun. The reason we started talking about Pickleball a couple of weeks ago was the fact that Tom Brady is getting involved in it. And we want to know more about it. And we know a lot of people out there watching right now because I put up on Instagram a photo of me and my daughter the other day. 10,000 people responded and said, “Hey, We play too, we love it, it’s so much fun”.

Ainsley Earhardt: I played this weekend, I played on Saturday and then it was so much fun. We played again on Sunday and we played doubles. Did y’all play singles or did you play doubles?

Steve Doocy: We played singles.

Ainsley Earhardt: That’s harder.

Steve Doocy: It’s much harder.

Brian Kilmeade: The eye hand coordination for tennis, similar?

Ainsley Earhardt: The problem is, and I do hear once you get really good at Pickleball, your tennis game is effective because the tennis ball, you’re used to it coming to you, right? But you’re basically playing with a wizard ball. You have to go up together because it doesn’t bounce very far.

Brian Kilmeade: So Billie Jean King would not be a good partner?

Steve Doocy: No, I think she would be-

Ainsley Earhardt: She would be great.

Steve Doocy: The main problem I had to acclimate myself to firm tennis is that the racket is so much smaller. You think it’s bigger, but it’s just-

Ainsley Earhardt: I’ll tell you what it was, it was more fun. I love playing tennis. I’m not very good, but I play it a lot and it can be very fast. You walk off the courts and you really get a good workout in this one. It’s so fun. You can just do it with-

Brian Kilmeade: I don’t have to work out after I play. Am I going to have to work out after I play?

Ainsley Earhardt: No, you still get a lot of steps in.

Brian Kilmeade: Okay steps .

Ainsley Earhardt: You’ve never heard, everyone says you have to get 10,000 steps a day?

Tennis Participation Numbers Leave Pickleball In The Dust

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The USTA announced that more in-depth information has become available detailing the significant growth in participation tennis has experienced in recent years.  This information, provided by Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) as a follow-up to the Physical Activity Council’s (PAC) Participation Report, which monitors more than 120 different sports and activities, provides a closer look into specific demographics driving the surge in participation.

“We are incredibly energized by the tremendous growth our sport has seen these past two years, and especially gratified that this growth is being driven by young players and new communities,” said Mike McNulty, USTA Chairman of the Board and President.  “The USTA built a strong foundation for growth, and we are now seeing the results of all of that hard work.”

Earlier this year, the USTA announced that more than 22.6 million players took to the court in 2021.  This number was a 4.5% increase from 2020 and a 27.9% increase from 2019 – and an increase of 4.9 million players from 2019 to 2021. Data from the Tennis Industry Association also supported the growth in tennis, with racquet sales increasing in numerous areas in 2021, an uptick of 22.7% in total units (3.4 million units) and 46.2% in total dollars ($122.9 million) as compared to 2020.

New analysis of this data provides the demographic breakdown driving this growth:

  • Participation among youth (ages 6-17) players grew from 4.6 million in 2019 to 6.9 million in 2021, an increase of 50%
  • Participation among Hispanic/Latino players grew from 2 million in 2019 to 3.2 million in 2021, an increase of 60%
  • Participation among Black/African American players grew from 1.6 million in 2019 to 2.3 million in 2021, an increase of 43.75%

Other key metrics in tennis growth:

  • Tennis’ total increase of 4.9 million players in the two-year span exceed the total growth of all other racquet sports combined (including pickleball, badminton, table tennis and padel).
  • The 3.4 million wholesale racquet units in 2021 represents the largest year-end racquet unit total since 2010
  • The $122.9 million in racquet dollar shipments in 2021 is the largest year-end total on record
  • In 2020, racquets priced below $50 and increased by 51.7% from 2019; while in 2021, racquets priced $50 and above increased by 49.2% from 2020

For comparison, there are about four million pickleball players in the United States. The sport is growing, as witnessed by increased creation of pickleball courts, such as this one in Sebastian, Florida as you can see here from Randy Walker: “Sebastian, Florida’s Exclusive Pickleball Complex https://youtu.be/mEfnRBazLwA via YouTube