What the #1 Men’s Pickleball Player Makes in a Year

Image of pro pickleball player Ben Johns holding a trophy during a PPA Tour stop.

Ben Johns recently told CNBC that he’ll clear $2.5 million in salary this year, not including income from endorsements or sponsorships. The 25-year-old pickleball phenom is probably the most well-known player next to his regular doubles partner, the worldwide top-ranked player Anna Leigh Waters. As of May 13, 2024, Ben has 123 PPA Tour titles under his belt.  […]

First Ever By-Women, For-Women Pickleball Event to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer Research

The APP Women's Open logo

UPDATE 6/25/24: Amateur and pro player registration is now open on theapp.global through September 23. Cross off another item on the list of “firsts” for pickleball. The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) announced a new global platform for female competitors at all levels: The APP Women’s Open. This APP Signature tournament will offer $75,000 in prize money and […]

What It’s Like Being a Pro Pickleball-Playing Mom

Megan Fudge, pro pickleball player, poses with her family

Pro pickleball players are on the road for well over half of the year, entertaining us and competing for their livelihoods. It seems the least we can do is acknowledge that this job couldn’t be done by just anyone. It takes dedication, sacrifice, and hard work; and if you’re a mom, you may know something […]

MLP Atlanta: Watch These 3 Teams

Major League Pickleball's 2024 event in Atlanta

Major League Pickleball (MLP) matches look a little different this year. Instead of teams “winning” entire events, they’ll seek to win as many matches as possible culminating in playoffs at the end of the year. With MLP Atlanta – the first event in 2024 – coming up this week, we thought we’d highlight some of […]

If You’re Below 4.5 and Want to Improve in Pickleball, Do This

Improving in pickleball can't just involve playing, like the players in this photograph are.

Top 5 pro James Ignatowich here. Pickleball players at level 4.5 and below should be drilling 60% of the time if they want to continue to improve.Drilling is more important for 3.0s – 4.5s than it is for 5.0+ players. It’s no secret that what goes on in 5.0+ games is significantly different from 3.5 […]

Pickleball’s Most Reliable Investor: The Alcohol Industry

Image of alcoholic beverages, pickles, and pickleballs set on a deck or a table

Let’s play a drinking game – or rather, a drink association game. I’ll say a sport, you tell me which kind of booze you associate that sport with: Football. That’s easy, it’s beer without question. Specifically, “lite” beers. Racing (cars). Again, easy. That’s light beer as well, or maybe a hard lemonade. Racing (horses). Probably […]