Lee McLaughlan MCIPR’s Post

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America 💹 The sport is played with a racket that combines elements from badminton, tennis, and ping pong. 🎾 And it’s been gaining popularity in the USA since 2014 with a huge spike in adoption during the pandemic. ⬆ In fact on average it’s growing 85% per year in active participation rates. 📊 With 14% of people in America having played at least once in the last 12 months. And it’s estimated the pickleball market will grow from $148m in revenue in 2021 to $253m by 2028. Almost double. 💰 The game now boasts the support of top athletes and more than 36 million Americans. There are over 10,000 reported pickleball locations in America adding around 130 new sites across the country every single month! The pickleball restaurant-entertainment model is also gaining steam.  From Chicken N Pickle to Camp Pickle, entrepreneurs are jumping in and capitalising on the craze. Athletes such as Lebron James, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have brought attention to the sport by investing in professional pickleball teams. Which is considered a hot investment with the ability to own a team far more cost effective than other sports. 🔥 That won’t be for long. The average pro pickleball player currently makes around $50,000 per year. But due to the spike in popularity, you can expect this number to drastically rise in the next few years. Have you ever played Pickleball? ---------------- 📌Try my free sports newsletter You’ll get the latest sports business news, industry updates and careers in sport information! Link in the comments 👇 #pickleball #investment #sportsbusiness

Pickleball: The Fastest-Growing Sport Serving Up a Golden Opportunity Those who know me will be aware of my love of all things sporty. I've been watching the phenomenon of Pickleball in the USA. A mash-up of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, is sweeping the nation and I think it's wonderful. It's also a goldmine for savvy brands. Firstly, it's the fastest-growing sport in America for three years running. The numbers speak for themselves: 36.5 million people played pickleball in 2023. Pickleball participation has skyrocketed by an average of 158.6% in the last three years. There are now over 11,885 known pickleball locations in the US Pickleball also it attracts a high-value demographic. The average pickleball player skews younger, averaging 47.5 years old, but 27.8% of players are between 18-34, indicating strong growth potential among younger generations. 60% of players are men, and 40% are women, offering a diverse audience for brands. There's definitely an Aprés Pickleball opportunity. The post match occasion presents a wide-open space for brands to connect with this engaged audience.    The pickleball phenomenon is here to stay, and the Apres Pickleball scene is ripe for the picking (or pickling). 

Racquet Revolution 🎾 It's an exciting whirlwind of challenges and opportunities in the racquet sports industry! First off, the rise of pickleball and other racquet sports is shaking up the game in more ways than one. Tennis professionals, accustomed to the traditional court game, are facing the need to adapt and diversify their skills. It's like being a versatile player on the court – you need more than just a killer forehand to stay in the game. With pickleball gaining momentum and other racquet sports like padel making waves, there's a sense of urgency for these professionals to pivot and expand their expertise. It's not just about mastering a new sport; it's about embracing change and staying relevant in a dynamic industry. And then you have the clubs and facilities; this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. They need to recognize the growing demand for these alternative sports and adapt their offerings accordingly. It's not enough to rely solely on tennis. Diversification is key to attracting and retaining members. Do you agree? Adding pickleball, padel, or other racquet sports programs isn't just a "nice-to-have" anymore, it's a necessity for staying competitive in the market. We strongly agree, clubs and facilities that hesitate to embrace these changes risk being left behind as players flock to venues that cater to their evolving interests. At least this is what we're seeing. So, the message is clear: whether you're a tennis pro or a club manager, now is the time to get on board, coach up, and embrace the exciting opportunities unfolding in the racquet sports industry. Adaptability is the name of the game, and those who are willing to embrace change will thrive in this dynamic landscape. Are you a tennis professional who has added another racquet sport skill to your arsenal or a club who has added maybe pickleball to your programming. Love to hear your story ✍ #tennis #pickleball #padel #clubmanagement #sportsindustry

In Episode 7, Mark and Patrick discuss their recent pickleball activities and share updates from their club. They also talk about training tips, a ladies-only DUPR night, and the importance of endurance in tournaments. They mention the DUPR rating system and its benefits for fair competition. Additionally, they discuss various paddle brands and the discounts available on their website as well as paddle options and price ranges   In this conversation, Patrick Batty and Mark Bittorf discuss various topics related to pickleball equipment and strategies.   The conversation then shifts to the topic of handling lobs in pickleball and the strategies behind it. They discuss the importance of communication with your partner and the need to hit soft and controlled shots when running forward. The conversation ends with a discussion about upcoming plans for the Canada Day long weekend.     Keywordspickleball, training, duper night, endurance, tournaments, Dupre rating system, paddle brands, discounts, pickleball, equipment, paddles, prices, Rev Aria, Rev Platinum, Tyrol shoes, gear bags, lobs, strategies, communication, soft shots, Canada Day Takeaways Pickleball players can improve their game by focusing on training and practicing specific shots, such as the volley shot. Hosting ladies-only DUPR nights can provide a competitive and enjoyable experience for female players. The DUPR rating system helps ensure fair competition in tournaments by placing players in appropriate skill categories based on their ratings. Endurance is important in pickleball tournaments, and participating in longer playing sessions can help build stamina. There are various paddle brands available, and players can take advantage of discounts offered on the Pickleball Today website. There are various paddle options available for pickleball, price ranges go from about $69 to over $300 and all paddles have a minimum discount. When handling lobs in pickleball, it is important to communicate with your partner and decide who will go for the lobs. The recommended shots to use when returning lobs are drop shots into the kitchen or returning the lob with another lob. When running forward to hit a ball, try to hit it soft and controlled to allow more time to get back into position. The Canada Day long weekend is a popular time for boating and enjoying the water. Titles Building Endurance for Tournaments Training Tips and Ladies-Only Duper Night Enjoying the Canada Day Long Weekend Exploring Pickleball Equipment and Prices Sound Bites "When you're in ready position, holding that paddle at 11 o'clock, if you're right-handed, it'd be one o'clock. If you're left-handed slightly to that backhand, just easier to defend your body and your shots on the backhand." "Some ladies wanted to just play against themselves and enjoy those type of games." "If you sign up for a tournament in DUPR, then it's based on your rating, you will be put into the category that you belong instead of just assigning y

🏓🎾 Dive into Pickleball: A winning move for your brand! 🎾🏓 Move over tennis, there's a new trend in town – Pickleball! Combining tennis, badminton and ping-pong, it's easy to learn yet offers a challenging game for all ages. At PromoShop, we see Pickleball as a prime opportunity to connect with your audience while the craze is on the rise. Imagine hosting a branded Pickleball tournament or sponsoring a local league – players decked out in your gear, rallying with custom paddles sporting your logo. It's not just fun; it's a chance to build relationships and loyalty within your target market. Associating your brand with Pickleball also shows a commitment to health and wellness, resonating with today's health-conscious focus. Plus, social media buzz from live-streaming matches and player highlights can amplify your brand's visibility. If you’re ready to make a splash in Pickleball marketing, get in touch with us today. https://lnkd.in/ejU_tUWQ

Pickleball has been *blowing up* lately. It's the United States' fastest-growing sport, with nearly 10 million players. You've probably seen them dominating your local tennis court. But watching pickleball on your TV? It's a tough transition. The fact is that it's hard for recreational sports to convert participation into revenue. Remember when lacrosse started exploding in popularity in the early 2010s? Since then, It's been hard for professional leagues to pick up the momentum to really drive revenue despite more interest in the sport and more people picking up a stick. There are professional leagues with incredible talent, some of the best in the world at what they do: volleyball, softball, and surfing. Despite having amazing athletes and being fun to watch, even they can struggle to build a full fandom of dedicated, monetizable audiences because of the extreme competition for consumer’s attention. It's hard to build and sustain a revenue-generating sport, period.  Maybe pickleball will be different. It certainly has momentum. 👉 The Professional Pickleball Association is just a few years old and had games broadcast on ESPN this summer. 👉 Professional athletes like Tom Brady have been pouring money into the sport. But going from popular to play to popular to watch is always a challenge. #sportsbusiness #pickleball #community

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US, but there is another racket sport no one is talking about and it's ready to explode. It's called Padel. And, in my humble opinion, it's faster, cooler and way more fun to watch. Check out this INSANE point (2.5M views): https://lnkd.in/dwu-_9WB If tennis and racket ball had a baby, it would be Padel. If you're asking yourself why you haven't heard of it, it's because there are only 300 courts in the US today, many of which are in Miami, and that number is set to double this year. But don't let the small scale of those numbers fool you. Worldwide, there are over 25 million people playing the sport in 90 countries with popularity being highest in Europe - Spain has +6 million players and 20,000 courts, making it the second-most popular sport in the country behind soccer. Yes, pickleball was the first mover, but I believe padel will be the more compelling sports for advertisers, media companies, and investors over time. 1. More fun to watch = media deals 2. Younger and more affluent crowd = brand dollars 3. Private clubs and courts = pay to play Punchline: It's rare for new sports to emerge, so I'd keep a close eye on this one. PS, if you're ever in Miami and want to play, shoot me a note! https://lnkd.in/dVjvWnKV

Issue 1 of The Sportier Edition is out now on Substack 🏀 🏑 🏓 ⛳ 🥎 🎣 ⚽ 🎿 We release a twice-weekly newsletter, with our Sunday edition focused on sports events, teams, leagues and tasters that you can get involved in across London. This week, we’re covering: 📌 Tennis mania: With Wimbledon kicking off from the 1st July, there’s no better time to start slicing (IYKYK, but also cool if you don’t because we’ve all gotta start somewhere). Our top picks are the Forty Forty #tennis hitting club; SpinTennis Academy app for joining a league, and Park Sports for courses & drills 🎾 📌 Parkrun: Whether you’re new to #running, we provide a whistle-stop summary of what you can expect and how to find out more parkrun 📌Football leagues: If you’re tired of the #Euros2024 performance from England, and feel you can do better, why not try a #football league? Our recs include tasters at FC Urban and leagues with Powerleague & Go Mammoth® ⚽ & also including free recs of the week from Swifty Mondays, Velociposse and GymNation, plus a spotlight on the Gymshark sale (go grab your gear while stocks last!). But....what is Sportier?  Designed especially for those new to sporting activities (but great for the pros too!), we’re here to remove the intimidation factor and make sports accessible, inclusive, and fun for everyone. We're building the ultimate platform for sports beginners - and a tonne of resources to go along with it to make it easy for everyone to try something new. You can also check out our twice-weekly sports & activities newsletter launching this week, as well as our regular Spotify playlists. Something you’d like to see? Feel free drop us a line if you have any suggestions or want to get involved 📩 [email protected] And while you’re here, why not sign up to our app waitlist? Link is in our company bio! 🏀 🏑 🏓 ⛳ 🥎 🎣 ⚽ 🎿 The Sportier Team 🎾 https://lnkd.in/e_sspb9D #sportsnews #newsletter #sportslife

Day 229: World Squash Masters & An Epic Opportunity in Austin, Texas 🌍🏆 Today, I had the privilege of watching Nick Sutcliffe cruise to victory at the World Squash Masters, showcasing his incredible skill even against an Egyptian opponent—no easy feat given Egypt’s dominance in the sport. But beyond the court, Nick and his team are onto something huge with Rush Club. They’re developing a state-of-the-art facility in Austin, Texas, featuring 15 Pickleball courts and 2 Padel courts, all connected to a cool bar and restaurant strip. This project is more than just a sports venue—it’s set to become the biggest facility in Austin, right in the heart of what is fast becoming the health and wellness capital of the U.S. Pickleball is a $1B industry, and it’s booming. Why wouldn’t you want to be part of it? There’s massive demand for racquet sports, but the number of available venues is lagging. Nick’s business is set to fill that gap in a big way. With Austin as home to the world’s #1 and #2 Pickleball players, and with the sport virtually exploding in popularity, this project is positioned to become a cornerstone of the community. While Padel is growing more slowly, the focus today is squarely on Pickleball, where the opportunity is ripe. Let’s rally behind Nick on this journey. It’s an awesome opportunity to be part of something truly special. $2M left to take up this massive opportunity. Only 2 weeks to go—get in quick! Pivot Sports is the mobile app we are building to support this growing sport. 🏓🏸🎾 #WorldSquashMasters #Pickleball #Padel #RealEstate #InvestmentOpportunities #AustinTexas #RushClub #Squash #SportsInnovation #HealthAndWellness #SupportLocal #PivotSports #Day229of366 Liz Irving Jason Calacanis Debbie Hill