The pickleball world is abuzz with controversy! Here’s a breakdown of the recent events creating a perfect pickle of a storm.
Contents
Joola Gen3 Paddles Delisted
Last week, USA Pickleball (USAP) delisted all Joola Gen3 pickleball paddles, including popular models used by Ben Johns and Tyson McGruffin.
- The reason – Joola reportedly submitted the wrong paddle for review, not the actual models being sold.
- Masterful Gameplay – This delisting comes at a sensitive time, raising questions about USAP’s oversight and authority for the game of pickleball.
- Joola News – The Joola Gen3 pickleball paddle approval status – Joola Pickleball News. The Joola Gen3 pickleball paddles were re-submitted to USAP for an expedited review process.
UPA Announces UPA-A and Challenges USAP Authority
Just as the Joola Gen3 paddle delisting unfolds, the United Pickleball Association (UPA), owner of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), throws down the gauntlet.
- On May 15th, 2024 – UPA announced the launch of the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A).
- UPA-A – Claims to be the new “National Governing Body” for pickleball, directly challenging USAP’s authority.
Two Sides of the Pickleball Coin
A quick rundown on the growing divide within pickleball authorities.
- Camp USAP: – Backed by the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and UTR Sports. They are supposedly impartial and are not affiliated with pickleball paddle manufacturers.
- Camp UPA – Owns/controls PPA, MLP, and partners with DUPR ratings and Pickle Pro Labs (PPL) for paddle testing. They supposedly have direct affiliations with pickleball paddle manufacturers.
The Pickleball Governing Body Showdown – USAP vs. UPA-A
This situation presents a complex battle for dominance within pickleball governance. Both USAP and UPA-A offer competing structures and raise questions about potential biases. The timing of the Joola delisting and UPA-A announcement further fuels speculation. Will this lead to further division in pickleball events and even local pickleball matches? How will players, fans, and tournament organizers navigate these competing forces? Only time will tell how this “perfect pickleball storm” will impact the sport.
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