Anna Leigh Waters signs paddle contract with Franklin

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

Jan 08 2026

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News

It’s official: Anna Leigh Waters has signed a new equipment deal with Franklin Sports.

Waters and Franklin announced the partnership Thursday morning, putting an end to the rumors and speculation that had taken over the pickleball world since Waters' contract with Paddletek expired on Dec. 31.

As part of the new contract -- which is rumored to be in the millions -- Waters will assist in the design of a signature line of paddles, bags and accessories.

"I am incredibly proud to begin this next chapter of my career with Franklin Sports," Waters said. “When looking for the right partner for the future of my game, performance was a priority, and I’ve been so impressed by Franklin’s commitment to paddle innovation."

Waters plans to use a new iteration of Franklin's popular C45 line of paddles, which were released in 2025 and have kept the sports equipment brand near the top of the paddle market, where it has been since it entered the pickleball space in 2017.

In photos provided to The Kitchen, Waters is shown using an unreleased C45 model called the Aurelius, which is a Latin word meaning golden. The paddle has Waters' familiar crown logo on the face and has a thickness of 12.7mm, which would be the thinnest paddle in the C45 line and likely would make it the most poppy. It also appears to be a widebody paddle -- similar to what she has used previously -- although exact dimensions haven't been released.

As of Thursday morning the new model had not appeared on the list of approved paddles for either USA Pickleball or the United Pickleball Association of America, which is the governing body of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. If the paddle is not approved before next week's PPA Tour Masters in Palm Springs, California, Waters will have to use an existing C45 model that is approved.

Waters and Franklin will also release a new pickleball geared toward higher-level play to complement the brand's existing X-40 ball line, which is the most popular ball in the sport.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the undisputed No. 1 pickleball player in the world to the Franklin Sports family,” said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “Anna Leigh’s remarkable talent, competitive spirit, and passion for the game align perfectly with our mission to support athletes at every level while continuing to grow the sport globally.”

In addition to using Franklin equipment on the court, Waters will also work with the brand to expand its global footprint, with international visits and marketing efforts planned in emerging pickleball hot spots.

"Beyond the technology, I had an immediate connection with the team and felt like part of the family," Waters said. "I have a lot of trust in this partnership and am especially excited to work together on our shared vision for international growth."

Waters joins a Franklin roster of pros that includes star players JW and Jorja Johnson, Hayden Patriquin, Parris Todd and Will Howells, who has been Waters' teammate for the New Jersey 5s in Major League Pickleball for the past two seasons.

Anna Leigh and her mother, Leigh Waters, had been with Paddletek since Anna Leigh turned pro in 2019, and the younger Waters was a key influence in the development of her previous signature paddle -- the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C.

Waters, who turns 19 this month, has won 181 gold medals and 39 triple crowns in her 7-year career, making her the face of the sport at the pro level (along with Ben Johns).

She also has more star power than any other figure in the game -- in 2025 alone she appeared in multiple billboards in Times Square in New York City, threw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game, did several live interviews with major media outlets (like this one on ESPN's Sportscenter) and also was our most popular guest on Pickleballers this year.

It has also been rumored that her contract with apparel manufacturer FILA has ended and a new apparel deal with Nike has been discussed, although there has been no official announcement on that. In the photos that Franklin released, Waters was wearing plain clothing and shoes with no logos, suggesting that she will have a separate apparel and shoe deal in addition to the paddle deal with Franklin.

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