Smashing Boundaries: PPA and Tennis Channel's Bold Move for Pickleball

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and The Tennis Channel are joining forces to amplify the reach and popularity of pickleball. The Tennis Channel will hold the rights to produce and air a majority of the matches on its platforms, and is set to launch a 24/7 free, ad-supported streaming channel, pickleballtv, dedicated exclusively to the sport. This collaboration coincides with the merger of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, marking a significant step in bringing pickleball to a wider audience and enhancing the viewing experience for fans.

PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting the increased access it will provide to viewers. The joint venture will allow the Tennis Channel to manage the production of all PPA Tour content, ensuring high-quality and consistent broadcasts. This collaboration is expected to ease the integration of pickleball content into other major networks, including ESPN, CBS, and Prime Video, bolstering the sport’s media presence. The terms of the deal, while not fully disclosed, include an option for Sinclair, the owner of the Tennis Channel, to acquire an equity stake in Pickleball.com, the parent company of the PPA Tour.

The partnership is anticipated to propel further media rights deals, leveraging the expertise of Tennis Channel executives in TV carriage negotiations and streaming platform development. Ken Solomon, Tennis Channel president, referred to the collaboration as a seminal moment for pickleball, envisioning the application of two decades of experience to expand the sport and the PPA. Despite the growing focus on pickleball, traditional tennis content will continue to hold its place on the Tennis Channel, ensuring a balanced offering for fans of both sports. The recent merger and this partnership underscore the rapid growth of pickleball, which has seen a 159% increase in the past three years, attracting 36 million players last year alone.