Team Insight

APP Doubles Pickleball Coverage e Association of Pickleball Players em- barked on its most robust distribution schedule ever, bringing live coverage of all 2024 APP Tour and select APP Signature Events to national television in broadcast agreements with CBS Sports, ESPN and FOX Sports. e 2024 schedule features double the live coverage from 2023, with more than 40 hours of live pickleball action and more than 200 hours of livestream coverage for three of the five competition days of every APP Tour event. APP Establishes The Fort Earlier this year, the APP announced plans for a permanent official home and training center at e Fort in Fort Lauderdale, FL. e facility, now under construction, will feature 43 courts – including 14 weather- proof courts – plus the world's first dedicated pickleball stadium. e facility is on track to open in December 2024. Selkirk Sport Revamps SLK Line In late August, Selkirk introduced its over- hauled SLK line designed to provide players with affordable, top-tier equipment. e new line-up boasts six paddle models ranging in price from $50 to $150. e paddles are offered in two shapes: the Max shape provides a shorter and wider paddle face for a larger sweet spot, while the XL shape has a longer and narrower paddle face for extended reach. "Selkirk's mission has always been to expand the game of pickleball by providing players with the best equipment available," states Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. "With the new SLK line, we're excited to offer players the opportunity to experi- ence cutting-edge technology and superior performance without breaking the bank." Reload Pickleball Launches Paddle With Replaceable Surface Reload Pickleball, based in Santa Monica, CA, has unveiled what it claims is the world's first pickleball paddle with a re- placeable surface. Until now, players have had to replace their whole paddle aer signs of noticeable wear. Citing new re- search, Reload says that a pickleball paddle surface degrades up to 50 percent within 30 days of consecutive play, meaning that a dedicated player would have to buy four to five paddles a year to keep the surface grit fresh. e Reload system of replaceable grit enables an avid pickleball player to reduce annual paddle expenses by 80 percent and environmental impact by 800 percent. e sheets can be recycled to make other carbon fiber products and all packaging is FSC certified. e Reload Paddle System is also USAP-approved. n Selkirk has revamped its paddle line to provide products for all ages and skill levels. teaminsightmag.com September/October 2024 ~ Team Insight • 27 NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN & BEYOND through franchising. Today, Pickleball Kingdom lays claim to being the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, and so far, it counts more than 5250 courts and has awarded more than 350 franchises. Its clubs feature climate-controlled indoor courts, comfortable lounge areas and a variety of pickleball training programs, coach- ing and clinics, plus leagues and tournaments. In June, Pickleball Kingdom entered into an exclusive partnership with e Kitchen, a leading pickleball media outlet. Ace Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, states: "e Kitchen is the undisputed leader in pickleball media. eir unparalleled reach and engagement will significantly amplify our brand, enabling us to connect with pickleball enthusiasts around the world like never before. is game-changing new relationship will drive the sport's growth and ensure more people have access to the exceptional facilities and experiences that Pickleball Kingdom offers." A Bright Future ere are many indicators pointing to a successful future for pickleball. Among them are increasing participation; growth of colle- giate and international competition; as well as more, bigger and better pickleball facilities that will allow players to invest more time and money into the sport they love. Moreover, greater media and marketing coverage will help build awareness and enthusiasm for the game, thereby fueling further growth. "Pickleball will be an Olympic sport eventu- ally and has the potential to be a demo sport in 2032," posits Webb of the APP. "As pickleball becomes an Olympic sport, it's inevitable that it will also become an NCAA sport. At its roots, pickleball is about equality — it's not a power game. Mixed doubles is a showcase sport. From an NCAA perspective, the sport provides opportunities for both male and female players." However, Webb also points out that the rapid growth – especially in the paddle category – will inevitably lead to some consolidation. But overall, he says, "I've never worked in a sport where so many people love what they're doing. It's a massive opportunity that will only continue to grow." n

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