Pickleball Professionals Create World Players Association
Professional pickleball players unite to establish the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA). This initiative marks a significant milestone, being the first time professional players have formally organized, unifying under a single entity. An official announcement from the WPPA is expected this Friday.The association will be led by a board of directors composed of seven players. Among its priorities are the health and safety of the players, as well as transparency regarding compensation. Given the consolidation of professional leagues, which led to the formation of the United Pickleball Association, players felt it was a natural step to organize.“This is something we needed for a long time,” said Collin Johns, board member and player. “It’s the right time. We have many important issues for the players.”
Collin Johns
Previous tour-sponsored player council initiatives lacked the independence of the WPPA, which prevented lasting changes in player affairs. The creation of the association was supported by Sports Solidarity, founded by former baseball player Harry Marino, who helped unionize minor league baseball players in 2022.“I don’t see the formation of the association as combative with the tour,” Johns commented. “They can make it as collaborative as they wish. It’s about establishing some minimum standards that we can all agree on. We want to make sure everyone is treated equally, regardless of whether you’re the number 1 or number 100 player.”
Collin Johns
Initially, the WPPA will resemble more a group like the Association of Tennis Professional Players than a union like the MLBPA or NFLPA, given that pickleball players are currently classified as independent contractors. The WPPA was simply seeking an independent voice for the players and considered it a natural progression given the growing popularity of the sport.“We formed Sports Solidarity to help groups of players like those on this tour, who are working hard, dedicating many hours and moving the sport forward, and who simply want to have a voice,” Marino said. “This isn’t a money grab for them. We want professional pickleball to thrive, and we know that, as a group of players, they can help improve things.”
Harry Marino
Johns cited the classification system as an example of something that could be reviewed under the direction of the WPPA. This is just one of the issues they consider worth addressing, along with security, scheduling, and player discipline. “It’s these problems that can be solved,” Johns said. “We’re not going to ask for anything unreasonable, but you have to stand firm on the goals to get all the players to join. That’s what’s been missing in previous years.” The PTPA also issued a statement supporting the creation of the WPPA.“This really gives legitimacy to the players and the tour,” Johns commented. “I also feel that there has been quite a bit of frustration among the players over certain basic things that don’t even necessarily cost money.”
Collin Johns
Pickleball has experienced massive growth in the last five years, with professional players earning hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on tournament prizes and sponsorships.“This is a significant and commendable milestone, representing the crucial first step towards independent representation led by the players,” stated the tennis association. “We firmly believe in the importance of athletes having a unified voice that is free from the control or interference of the league or tour. Such independence is vital to ensure that the interests, rights, and well-being of the players remain the priority in all decision-making processes.”
Tennis Association
