Pickleball’s rise isn’t just about paddles and courts—it’s about serious paydays.
The United Pickleball Association (UPA), has revealed a jaw-dropping stat: the average pro pickleball player on their tours earned $260,000 in 2024.
That’s more than the top-paid WNBA player and more than double the average salary of National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) athletes.
Let’s break it down.
2024 marked a pivotal year for professional pickleball. The merger of the PPA Tour and MLP into the United Pickleball Association created efficiencies that are now paying off in a big way.
With $75 million in outside investment and a streamlined business model, the UPA opened the door for cross-promotional sponsorships, expanded media coverage, and more lucrative player contracts.
The result? Pro pickleball players collectively earned $30 million in salaries (not including endorsements), while sponsorship revenue grew by 50% year-over-year, with more than 50 sponsors supporting the PPA Tour and MLP brands.
UPA’s Chief Strategy Officer, Samin Odhwani, credited the merger for bringing “immense efficiencies” to the business and paving the way for this rapid growth.
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