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.
Growing the Sport, One Paycheck at a Time
Pickleball’s growth isn’t just financial—it’s about reaching more fans than ever before.
In 2024, 320,000 fans attended PPA Tour and MLP events, a 40% increase from the previous year.
For the first time, revenue from ticket sales outpaced that from amateur registration fees, with over a billion minutes watched on PickleballTV, a joint venture with the Tennis Channel.
The result? Bigger audiences mean bigger paychecks.
Top players like Anna Leigh Waters, Federico Staksrud, and Ben Johns have become the faces of the sport, driving sponsorships and growing the league’s profile.
Combine that with pickleball’s ability to attract high-profile backers like LeBron James and Tom Brady, and you’ve got a recipe for serious financial momentum.
Let’s put that $260,000 average salary in perspective:
- The highest-paid WNBA player earns just over $250,000 annually.
- The average NWSL salary hovers around $120,000.
- Pro pickleball players? They’re doubling the NWSL average and surpassing top-tier WNBA earners.
While pickleball doesn’t yet have the same history or global reach as basketball or soccer, its rapid ascent is rewriting the playbook for professional sports.
As the UPA eyes 2025, it’s doubling down on growth. Plans include expanding media partnerships, growing the amateur base, and turning more pros into household names.
With viewership, attendance, and sponsorship revenue all trending upward, it’s clear: pickleball isn’t just keeping pace with established sports—it’s setting the bar.
Check out the full details at CNBC.
