Professional sports in Australia are experiencing an exciting evolution as Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) and the Professional Pickleball Association Tour Australia (PPAA) welcome former World No. 1 golfer Adam Scott as the new team owner of the Gold Coast Glory.

This announcement adds another illustrious name to the list of distinguished team owners, which includes cricket legend Steve Smith, basketball star Patty Mills, and five-time Olympian Nat Cook. Together, they are championing the growth and promotion of professional pickleball Down Under.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gold Coast Glory (@goldcoastglory.pb)

"I'm honored to join Major League Pickleball Australia as a team owner to support the Gold Coast Glory and help grow this fantastic sport," said Scott, the 2013 Masters champion. "Being part of this community alongside other esteemed athletes and icons is incredibly exciting."

The more high-profile names, the better

The addition of Scott brings his renowned name and his passion for sports to the forefront of the pickleball scene. His involvement underscores pickleball's increasing recognition and appeal among athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds.

Does Scottie Scheffler Have Pickleball To Thank For His PGA Tour Domination?

Scottie Scheffler just won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and is the top-ranked golfer in the world. Yet he can’t seem to stop talking about pickleball.

The Dink PickleballJason Flamm

While this has been happening here in the U.S. for the last couple of years, it's even more exciting to see it happening worldwide.

We've reported a few times how the world is catching pickleball fever and it's incredible to see it play out right in front of us.

As the world becomes more addicted to pickleball, becoming an Olympic sport seems inevitable.

PicklePod: How America Gave the World Pickleball Fever

Tom Webb, CMO of the APP Tour, joined Zane and Thomas this week on the PicklePod to discuss global pickleball, how pickleball viewership can grow, and why the APP doesn’t believe it’s competing with anyone.

The Dink PickleballThe Dink Media Team

Record prize money is being offered

In another significant development, MLPA announced the upcoming Brisbane Championships event, set to feature record prize money for pickleball in the Asia-Pacific region, exceeding $130,000. This landmark event signifies the growing enthusiasm for the sport and highlights the competitive spirit flourishing within the worldwide pickleball community.

Moreover, MLPA is thrilled to initiate the application process for Season Two of its competition, inviting players to join the expanding league and teams. With the promise of more thrilling matches and increased community involvement, Season Two aims to elevate the profile of pickleball in the region.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness, its future shines brighter than ever on the global sporting stage.