How Much Do Professional Pickleball Players Make? Income Secrets of pro pickleball player
Pickleball is booming in popularity, and with it, opportunities to earn as a pro. But how much do pickleball players make? Let’s dig into pro pickleball incomes and the earning potential as it grows into a real pro sport.
The Growing Popularity of Pickleball
In just decades, pickleball has transformed from an obscure pastime into a full-fledged professional sport with tournaments, sponsorships, and star athletes. It now boasts over 4.8 million players nationwide, with new courts popping up daily.
USA Pickleball Association tournaments have drawn record crowds to watch top pros compete for cash prizes and titles. Expanded media coverage has introduced the sport to more fans.
Clearly, pickleball has momentum. As its popularity climbs, major sponsorships, bigger prize purses, and new income streams keep opening up for professional players.
How much do professional pickleball players make? Earning Sources
For most players, it’s tough to make a living only from pickleball. However, there is potential for players to earn money by playing professionally. They can do this through these main sources:
Tournament prize money: The biggest purses come from high-profile pro events like the US Open Pickleball Championships. Top performers can take home $5,000 to $15,000.
Sponsorships and endorsements: Pickleball equipment manufacturers pay pros to use and promote their gear. Lucrative deals for top players can pay up to $100,000.
Coaching/teaching: Pros offer private lessons, clinics, and camps to capitalize on pickleball’s growth. Hourly rates typically range from $50 to $150.
Exhibitions: Pickleball pros get hired to compete in special events, which can pay thousands per appearance.
Digital products: From instructional videos to e-books, selling online pickleball content provides passive income.
Brand partnerships: Players earn income by promoting brands on social media and collaborating on products.
Most pro pickleball players must piece together income from various sources to make a living. Only a few big-name stars earn six-figure paydays on the circuit. But as pickleball grows, more opportunities to make money open up for aspiring pros.
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The Rise of Professional Pickleball Players
The professional pickleball scene remains in its infancy compared to major sports. There is no single professional league, championship tour, or collective bargaining agreement guiding pro salaries and standards.
Instead, pickleball has a patchwork of tournament circuits, including the Professional Pickleball Association, the Association of Pickleball Professionals, and Major League Pickleball. Each circuit consists of multiple sanctioned events throughout the year, with various ranking systems and prize pools.
The newness of the professional pickleball landscape means players have tremendous room for growth. But it also presents challenges, as pros must hustle to leverage opportunities and balance competing tour commitments. Ultimately, to thrive in pro pickleball, players need versatility and business savvy beyond just superb paddling skills.
The Income Secrets of Pro-Pickleball Players
To uncover insights on earning potential, let’s examine how some top professional pickleball players generate income both on and off the court:
Developing Draw Power
The sport’s biggest stars, like Tyson McGuffin, Anna Leigh Waters, and Catherine Parenteau, have massive drawing power. Fans flock to see these pros compete and will pay for access, like tickets or livestreams.
Top players can also command high appearance fees for competing in exhibitions at corporate events, charity tournaments, and more. Their notoriety drives sponsor interest as well. Brands pay top dollar to have these household names sporting their gear.
Cashing in on Championships
Winning major pro tournaments means big payouts. In 2022, the US Open singles winners received $15,000 each. Taking home multiple major titles in a year can net a player $50k+ in prize money alone.
The championship pedigree also brings sponsorship opportunities. Brands seek out rising stars and proven winners with strong competitive resumes. Lucrative equipment deals await those who can shine on the biggest stages.
Launching Products and Brands
Beyond competition, some pros are getting creative in monetizing their influence. Parenteau partnered with Gamma to design her own signature pickleball paddle. Waters and McGuffin have self-branded instructional platforms, charging premium rates for their coaching expertise.
Other top players leverage their personal brands through merchandise sales, digital products, paid content, and social media monetization. Building a business around their pickleball stardom gives players revenue streams beyond the court.
Team League Pay
As team leagues emerge, pros are cashing checks as franchise players. Major League Pickleball signed many top pros to lucrative 2-year contracts worth $50k or more annually. Other team leagues are following suit, providing guaranteed income to complement tour earnings.
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Sponsorships and Endorsements of Pro-Pickleball Players
Sponsorships from equipment manufacturers represent a significant source of income for many pros. Brands like Franklin, Gamma, Selkirk, Engage, and others sponsor players to use their paddles, shoes, apparel, and gear during competitions and promotions.
Top pros can earn $50,000 to $100,000+ annually through these endorsement deals. Less-known players may get gear for free or at discounted prices in exchange for promotion. Building a social media presence and competition pedigree helps attract sponsors.
But how do players actually get sponsored?
Here are some tips:
Contact brands directly: Email companies that make gear you already love using. Share your competitive accomplishments and interest in representing their brand.
Perform at high-profile events: Success at big tournaments catches sponsor eyes. Make a deep run at the Nationals or medal at the US Open.
Promote yourself: Build a website, social media channels, and email list to showcase your personal brand to potential sponsors.
Network and make connections. Talk to other pros about their experiences getting sponsored. Seek introductions from brand decision-makers.
For pickleball pros, sponsorship income provides financial stability amid the peaks and valleys of tournament play. Securing a few lucrative sponsor deals can fund travel expenses, training, and more as players chase championships.
How Much Pickleball Players Make through Tournaments Prize Money
Winning pickleball tournaments remains the most direct path to earnings. While pro purses pale in comparison to massive golf or tennis prizes, pickleball’s top tournaments still award five- and six-figure checks.
The US Open regularly offers $50,000+ in prize money across all its pro divisions. The APP Florida major hands out $75,000, one of the richest purses in pickleball. Even smaller tournaments may have $10,000 or more up for grabs.
For elite pros who make deep runs, these events present multiple opportunities to take home cash. A top pro pickleball player makes $5,000 in mixed doubles, $7,500 for finishing second in men’s doubles, and another $10,000 as the singles runner-up while playing pickleball. A single tournament could net $25k for a star player on a hot streak.
Of course, only a fraction of pros have the skills to consistently contend for titles. For most journeyman players, tournament winnings remain modest—perhaps a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Still, competing on the pro tours provides developmental experience and exposure that could lead to bigger sponsorship deals down the road.
How Much Pickleball Players Make: Coaching and Teaching
Elite pros can leverage their competitive expertise to generate income away from tournaments. Many top players offer private lessons, clinics, camps, and personalized digital coaching services.
Private hourly lesson rates range from around $50 to $150+, depending on the pro’s credentials. Those with star power and major titles can charge a premium. Group clinics with 4–8 students may run $30–$100 per person. Multi-day camps typically cost a few hundred dollars.
Digital coaching provides recurring revenue through platforms like Pickleball Tips, Pickleball University, and others where subscribers pay monthly fees for video instruction. Top pros also sell instructional DVDs and streaming video series.
For lesser-known pros, coaching part-time supplements tournament income. But the sport’s biggest stars have built successful full-time coaching businesses that likely generate more income than competition alone.
Average Earnings Professional Pickleball Player Make
Given the diversity of earning sources, it’s difficult to pinpoint an average pro pickleball player’s income. For 2021, PickleballTips.com estimated earnings could range from:
Entry-level pro: $20,000 $40,000
Mid-tier pro: $40,000 $60,000
Top pro: $60,000, $100,000+
But those amounts can fluctuate widely. A mid-tier pro could nearly double earnings after a hot streak of tournament victories. Meanwhile, an injury could sideline a top pro, drastically reducing sponsorship income.
Very few, if any, pros solely earn a living from competitions. Patching together revenue from lessons, clinics, sponsorships, digital products, and other avenues is necessary.
Of course, not all pro pickleball players are in it for the money. Many compete for the love of the sport. But as financial opportunities keep expanding, making six figures in pickleball moves closer to becoming a reality for the sport’s brightest talents.
The Role of Social Media and Branding
One essential key to maximizing income in pro pickleball lies in building a strong personal brand. Pros with large social media followings and media presences attract the most sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
Instagram and YouTube enable pros to directly engage fans. Fun trick-shot videos rack up views. Behind-the-scenes looks at training give followers a sense that they know the players personally. Sponsored content seamlessly blends with authentic posts.
A compelling personal brand casts pros as ambassadors for the sport itself. Sponsors value that evangelism. Enthusiastic player fans drive ticket sales and strengthen tournament media properties.
Leveraging social media and branding does require relinquishing some privacy. But for aspiring pros, putting themselves out there can pay dividends in visibility.
Conclusion: Pursuing a Career as Pro Pickleball Player
Pickleball’s rise from a rec centre pastime to a professional sport has opened up legitimate money-making opportunities for standout players. While still an emerging profession, pro pickleball offers six-figure earnings potential for those able to win tournaments, attract sponsorships, and leverage their personal brand.
The path requires talent, business savvy, and endless hustle. But for those willing to put in the work, there are few limits on where professional pickleball is headed. The inputs of money, infrastructure, and competitive incentives continue to grow. A truly viable career playing the sport full-time gets closer to reality each day.
So for aspiring pros with the itch to earn from their passion, now just may be the perfect time to take the leap. With the drive to outwork and outplay the competition, pro pickleball could end up being a very sweet deal.
FAQs
Can you make money playing pro pickleball?
Yes, top players can earn money through tournaments, sponsorships, coaching, and other opportunities. But it’s tough to make a full-time living solely from competition.
Are pickleball businesses profitable?
Pickleball businesses like instruction, gear sales, facility operation, and media can be very profitable as the sport grows. But the market is getting more competitive.
How do you get sponsored in pickleball?
Contact gear companies directly, perform well at big tournaments, promote yourself on social media, and network to get your name out there.
How do you get paid with pickleball?
Pros get paid through prize money, endorsements, appearances, coaching, digital products, and partnerships. Building a personal brand is key to maximizing income.
Who is the highest-paid pickleball player?
The richest pickleball player in the world is Ben Johns.
Is pickleball a good investment?
With its surging participation, dedicated fanbase, and shortage of facilities, pickleball does present appealing investment opportunities, especially for owners getting in early
