UPA-A removes all Luzz paddles from approved equipment list
Last Edited
Apr 02 2025
Category
News
The United Pickleball Association of American earlier this week removed all Luzz paddles from its approved paddle list and revoked the brand's provisional approval status, according to a news release from the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball governing body.
The UPA-A said Luzz, a newer paddle brand, had gained provisional approval earlier this year, a process that was established to allow paddle brands already approved by USA Pickleball to be eligible for play on the PPA Tour and in MLP events before the full UPA-A certification goes into effect on Sept. 1.
Under the paddle design registration process, companies are allowed to have previously approved paddle models with different aesthetics (graphics and colorways) to be listed on the UPA-A approved paddle list.
Read next: See the full list of paddle brands approved for PPA Tour, MLP events
The UPA-A said in its statement that Luzz provided inaccurate information regarding its "Cannon" paddle and submitted paddles that are constructed differently and had different performance characteristics from the "ZZ" model that was originally granted provisional approval.
Essentially, the "Cannon" was submitted as a design variation, when it should have been submitted as an entirely new model. It is marketed as a different model on the company's website, and Luzz claims it has significantly more power than the "ZZ" model.
“Violating UPA-A rules has consequences,” said Jason Aspes, president of the UPA-A. “Our commitment to protecting the integrity of pickleball is absolute. Players, brands, and fans deserve a level playing field, and we will not tolerate actions that undermine that principle.”
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The UPA-A said it acted immediately after the issue was brought to the attention of officials. There were no submissions of Luzz paddles at the pro level of UPA
events other than the “ZZ” model, which had provisional approval at the time, according to UPA-A onsite testing records.
As a result of the issue, Luzz paddles are no longer approved for UPA-A sanctioned play, according to the news release.
"UPA-A will continue to enforce its standards rigorously, ensuring that all UPA-A approved paddles align with the values and rules that govern UPA pickleball events," the governing body said in the statement.
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