23 February 2026
The Fight For Control
27/3/2022 Ten years ago padel, disc golf and pickleball might [...]
27/3/2022
Ten years ago padel, disc golf and pickleball might have been mistaken for arcade games but today they are among a group of emerging sports that are gathering popularity.
As the ongoing power struggle in padel has demonstrated, though, the professionalization of these games can result in a tussle for control akin to a sporting civil war. With broadcasters and sponsors increasingly willing to invest in these disciplines, there are a number of stakeholders keen to position themselves as the overarching arbiter, whether they be global governing bodies, independent tours or institutional investors.
A number of these sports also have aspirations of pushing past their modest beginnings and gaining global recognition by featuring at future editions of multi-sport events. In most cases, that goal requires becoming a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which in itself can be a lengthy process.
With that in mind, SportsPro takes a look at the current state of play in some of the world’s fastest-growing sports, the organizations seeking to move them forward, and how some disputes could potentially be resolved. Read the report here.
As the ongoing power struggle in padel has demonstrated, though, the professionalization of these games can result in a tussle for control akin to a sporting civil war. With broadcasters and sponsors increasingly willing to invest in these disciplines, there are a number of stakeholders keen to position themselves as the overarching arbiter, whether they be global governing bodies, independent tours or institutional investors.
A number of these sports also have aspirations of pushing past their modest beginnings and gaining global recognition by featuring at future editions of multi-sport events. In most cases, that goal requires becoming a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which in itself can be a lengthy process.
With that in mind, SportsPro takes a look at the current state of play in some of the world’s fastest-growing sports, the organizations seeking to move them forward, and how some disputes could potentially be resolved. Read the report here.
