Pickleball is Exploding (In a Good Way) – Washington Post

The Washington Post, September 4th, 2023 by Jaclyn Peiser: “The pickleball craze overtaking recreation centers and repurposed tennis courts across the country is ushering in major shifts in the retail landscape. Running stores are stocking up on pickleball shoes. Walmart has tripled its shelf space for paddles, balls and other merchandise. Start-ups like Picklemall are turning ailing malls into indoor courts…

The rise of professional circuits and breakout stars like 16-year-old Anna Leigh Waters — who has endorsement deals with sportswear brand Fila and paddle maker Paddletek — only add to its appeal. Pickleball participation surged 85.7 percent in 2022, year-over-year, and 158.6 percent over three years, according to The Sports & Fitness Industry Association.”
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“Pickleball is a real unicorn sport … in that you don’t find a sport that comes around that has mass participation appeal as well as mass retail appeal,” said Adam Franklin, president of Franklin Sports.

​Read the full article here.