Pickleball offers a chance to make money for those who play this sport. It is not difficult to even become a millionaire thanks to pickleball.
Ben Johns (25 years old) is the world’s leading pickleball player at the moment, ranked No. 1 in the world in mixed doubles, No. 2 in men’s singles and No. 3 in men’s doubles. In his first year playing professional pickleball, Ben Johns could barely support himself financially. However, now, he earns at least $2.5 million/year from his pickleball salary and advertising contracts.
According to statistics, Ben Johns has won more than 120 PPA professional Pickleball championship titles and 21 “Triple crown” titles, meaning winning first place in all three categories: Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the same event, more than any other male player in pickleball history.
Over the past three years, Ben Johns’ earnings have increased significantly as pickleball has grown rapidly in the United States, attracting investments from private equity funds, wealthy team owners, major sponsors and media deals. In 2021, Johns said he made $250,000. That’s a tenfold increase since then.
In 2018, Ben Johns earned about $50,000 from pickleball. That came almost entirely from prize money at national tournaments, not from an annual salary.
As pickleball continues to grow, Ben Johns believes he can still make more money. “We haven’t peaked yet. I think pickleball is still going up,” Ben Johns said.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Anna Leigh Waters is the highest-paid pickleball player in 2024, with earnings of over $3 million, more than Ben Johns. Anna Leigh Waters is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, and has sponsorship and sponsorship deals with Fila (fashion and footwear), Paddletek (pickleball rackets), Pickleball4America (events including the US Open Pickleball Championship), Shiseido (skin care products), Cetaphil (facial cleansers and moisturizers), Biofreeze (topical pain relievers)…
Cbsnews admits that only the best players can bring in more than $1 million a year based on prize money, sponsorship deals or appearance fees. Cbsnews also reported that the richest pickleball players are the exception, while most others earn much less. Some up-and-coming players actually have full-time jobs and only play pickleball for prize money on the weekends.
According to Thepickleballdinks, professional pickleball players earn an average of $50,000 per year. With pickleball on the rise, that number is expected to increase in the coming years.
How to Make Money from Professional Pickleball
The three main components that make up a pickleball player’s income include: Tournament prize money, appearance fees or contract minimums, and sponsorship deals.
Major League Pickleball (MLP), the top professional pickleball league in the US, is expected to offer $5 million in prize money in 2023, spread across six events. Ninety-six players have participated in the league, and MLP has held three events this year.
Professional players who participate in MLP can also compete for cash prizes in Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Association of Pickleball Players (APP) events.
The PPA tournament has a prize money of up to 5.5 million USD in 2023, spread over 25 events. Compared to 2022, the prize money of PPA has increased by 83%. Another notable figure is that in 2022, a professional player of PPA earned an average of 96 thousand USD in prize money. Many professional athletes participate in both tournaments, so their income has increased significantly.
Meanwhile, Pickleland said that pickleball players can also earn money in other ways such as teaching pickleball or from sponsorship contracts. Famous pickleball players often hold pickleball classes in the US. These lessons not only bring a stable source of income but also help build personal brands and increase the number of fans.
Ben Johns, who started playing pickleball at age 17, has a lifetime sponsorship deal with Joola Pickleball and other deals with Jigsaw Health, Pickleball Galaxy and Life Time Fitness.
According to Pickleland, Brazilian tennis player Simone Jardim has an income of $2 million. Jardim is sponsored by major brands such as Selkirk Sport and Nike. In addition, she is also one of the most sought-after pickleball coaches at the moment.
Tyson McGuffin, a tennis player who switched from tennis to pickleball, has an estimated income of $2 million. Tyson McGuffin also organizes the Tyson McGuffin Signature Camps pickleball center to share his expertise and passion for the sport, contributing to the development of pickleball at the grassroots level.
In addition, exhibition matches and pickle speaking events also bring income to the top players in this sport. These events give players a chance to showcase their skills, interact with fans, and promote pickleball. They can be lucrative, especially if they are organized by sponsors or in major tournaments.
Pickleball players are often invited to corporate events, charity games, and sports exhibitions. Being present at these events also brings income and benefits to the players.
“If you’re talented and work hard, not only on the pickleball court but also off the court, you can make a pretty good living,” says Josh Freedman, director of pickleball at Topnotch Management, a company that represents professional pickleball, tennis, and soccer players.
Josh Freedman also said that for beginners, the economic benefits are very modest: “They often get sponsorship contracts worth $500 or $1,000 to be an ambassador for a brand.” However, with pickleball growing, athletes can earn more money by pursuing this sport.
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