Product Spotlight: Pickleball Gear

You might have noticed in the last few years that pickleball is just about everywhere you look. On social media, sports channels and even in your local neighborhood, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. It’s the official state sport of Washington. Even former professional tennis players such as Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have started playing it.

It’s not hard to understand why pickleball is so popular. It’s easy to learn, fun to play and appeals to multiple age groups. But you might be wondering where the cross of tennis, badminton and pingpong came from. And what’s up with that name?

Let’s take a look at the sport’s history, from its origins to professional leagues, and why its equipment and accessories can be a good opportunity for marketing your brand. From a friendly game created for kids to a cultural phenomenon, it’s a fascinating journey.

Humble Beginnings

Compared to other sports, pickleball is a true newcomer, having debuted just 60 years ago. It’s the brainchild of three fathers from Bainbridge Island, Washington. Searching for a way to entertain their children, they created a game that used ping pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball and a badminton court.

Before long, the backyard fun became popular with adult family and friends in addition to kids. The creators – Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell -- developed the game further. They lowered the net from badminton level and established the size of the court, including a no-volley zone (called “the kitchen”) near the net and set basic rules. The game is meant to emphasize strategy rather than sheer power.

What About That Name?

You’re likely wondering where the name “pickleball” came from. There are a couple of versions of the origin, one involving a dog and the other a boat.

The Dog Story: This version claims the inventors named the game after Pickles, the Pritchard family dog, wo supposedly chased the ball during early matches. While a fun theory, this one doesn’t hold up. Members of the Pritchard family have said Pickles the dog wasn’t adopted until three years after the game was invented.

The Rowing Term: The other explanation is that the name derives from a term from competitive collegiate rowing. Crews consisting of four non-starter oarsmen were known as “pickle boats.” According to multiple sources, Pritchard’s wife Joan coined the name pickleball, based on that reference.

The Pritchards’ son Frank later confirmed this story. The game’s co-inventor Barney McCallum however, maintained to his dying day that the game was named after the Pritchards’ dog.

 The dog story is fun, but the other is a lot more plausible. Either way, the name stuck.

Growth and Organization

Throughout the rest of the 1960s, pickleball became increasingly popular throughout the Pacific Northwest. A friend of the founders built the first permanent pickleball court in his backyard in 1967

The inventors formed Pickle Ball, Inc. in 1972 to promote the sport. Interest in pickleball began to spread, first to warm states that saw winter “snowbirds” – Arizona, Florida, California and Hawaii. In 1984. the United Sates Amateur Pickleball Association (now USA Pickleball) was founded, and published the first official rule book. The same year saw the first sanctioned tournament.

Pickleball For Everyone

In the 1990s and early 2000s, pickleball gradually grew in retirement communities. The low-impact sport, combined with increased social interaction was a winner with active seniors nationwide.

It's not just a sport for the young.  Soon, schools and community centers added pickleball to physical education programs. Some cities began converting underused tennis courts to pickleball courts. The concurrent rise of social media gave players a way to connect, organize tournaments and grow the sport in their communities.

In 2005, the United States Amateur Pickleball Association reorganized as the USA Pickleball Association, dedicated to helping the sport grow. It introduced standardized rankings and rules and was instrumental in developing a competitive tournament circuit.

The Pandemic Boom and Professional Era

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, pickleball’s popularity really took off. People wanted outdoor, socially distanced activities, and pickleball fit the bill. It was easy to pick up, affordable to play, and often available at public courts. Millions of new players took up the game.

Between 2020 and 2023, participation in pickleball nationwide nearly doubled. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association declared it the fastest growing sport in America.

Celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon as well, including LeBron James, Tom Brady and Kevin Durant. All three sports superstars have invested in professional pickleball teams

The creation of professional leagues such as Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association has brought even greater visibility. Pro matches are now televised on CBS, ESPN and streaming services.

Promotional Pickleball Products

Pickleball is fertile ground for promoting your brand and expanding your brand awareness. The balls, the paddles and even the bags to carry them in can be imprinted with your logo or brand. You can get your name out there to some of the most active amateur athletes in the world!

You can combine pickleball promos with additional products too. Water bottles, cooling towels and other items can give your marketing plan an extra boost. You can even promote your brand on a global scale.

From Washington State to the World

Pickleball is becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Its becoming more popular around the globe, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, India and Australia and others. With the backing of the International Pickleball Federation, there’s a movement to get the game into the Olympics.

In Europe, Asia and the U.S.A., new pickleball courts are springing up every day. Many cities have more demand than courts available, and as a result are converting tennis courts into pickleball courts.

From its backyard beginnings, pickleball has risen to the status of a worldwide sport that’s here to stay. Along with its fun factor, it offers a low-cost way to promote your brand as well. If you’d like to find out more about custom pickleball products and how you can leverage them to advance your brand awareness, call or email us. We’ll be happy to help.