Proton paddles OK'd for use in PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball events, officials say
Last Edited
Apr 22 2026
Category
News
For the past three weeks, Proton pickleball paddles have not been permitted in professional play on the PPA Tour due to a contractual dispute between the brand and the United Pickleball Association, which is the body that oversees PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events.
That dispute came to an end this week, and players have been notified that they are free to use Proton paddles going forward in pro events.
"Since the day we founded Proton we’ve been a dedicated and proud partner of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, and we’re excited to continue those partnerships for years to come," Proton President and Founder Charles Darling said in an interview with The Kitchen. "We’re sorry for any confusion this may have caused with the legality of our paddles, and we will continue to do our best to support pickleball across the globe."
The news comes just days before one of the biggest events on the PPA Tour calendar -- the Atlanta Pickleball Championships, which is one of four "Slams" on the schedule. The tournament starts Monday with pro qualifying.
"I like Proton. Sounds like they’ve figured out their internal issues and are back on the right track," PPA Tour Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe said in a statement on X. "Proton is in good standing with the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. Paddles will be in play next week."
Current pros who are sponsored by Proton include Genie Bouchard, Jackie and Jade Kawamoto, Alex Crum, Kelly Goodnow, Jalina Ingram and Andre Mercado. Other unsponsored players have also been using Proton paddles in pro play in recent months.
There are currently nine Proton paddles on the UPA-A approved paddles list.
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