Try pickleball if you’re searching for a sport that’s thrilling and enjoyable for everyone to participate in. The racket/paddle sport of pickleball incorporates aspects of table tennis, badminton, and tennis. The net is lower than a tennis net, while the court is comparable to a badminton court. A perforated plastic ball is struck over the net by players using paddles with solid faces. The game may be played by one or two people either inside or outside. Pickleball had more than 4.8 million players in the United States in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
But how much do pro pickleball players make? Is it possible to make a living playing pickleball? In this blog post, we will explore the different factors that affect pro pickleball players’how much do pickleball pros make, such as prize money, sponsorships, coaching, and online content creation. We will also look at some of the major tournaments that offer prize money for pro pickleball players, and some of the top pro pickleball players and their net worth and earnings.
Income Sources for Pro Pickleball Players
Pro pickleball players make money from various sources, depending on their skill level, popularity, and performance. Here are some of the common income streams that pro pickleball players have:
- Prize money: A group of friends on Bainbridge Island, Washington, created pickleball in 1965 as a means to amuse their kids. Its recognition has since increased both domestically and internationally. Pickleball had more than 4.8 million players in the United States in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
- Sponsorships: This is the money that pro pickleball players earn from endorsing or promoting certain brands or products. These can include gear brands, clothing brands, nutrition brands, or other related businesses. Sponsorships can be in the form of cash payments, free products, discounts, or other incentives. Sponsorships are usually more valuable than prize money, as they provide a steady and consistent income for pro pickleball players.
- Coaching/camps: This is the money that pro pickleball players earn from teaching or coaching other players. This can be done online or offline, individually or in groups. Coaching can be a great way to share one’s knowledge and experience with others, as well as to earn some extra income. Coaching fees can vary depending on the coach’s reputation, qualifications, location, and demand.
- Online content creation: This is the money that pro pickleball players earn from creating online content related to pickleball. This can include blogs, videos, podcasts, courses, books, or other digital products. Online content creation can help pro pickleball players build their brand awareness, reach a wider audience, and generate passive income.
Prize Money for Some Major Tournaments
One of the ways that pro pickleball players make money is by participating in tournaments that offer prize money. There are many tournaments that different associations or organizations organize throughout the year. Some of the major tournaments that offer prize money for pro pickleball players are:
Pro Pickleball Association (PPA): This is one of the most prominent pickleball organizations in the world. It hosts several tournaments throughout the year in different locations across the United States. The PPA offers some of the highest prize money in the sport, with a total purse of over $1 million in 2022. The PPA also has a ranking system that determines the eligibility and seeding of players in its tournaments.
Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP): This is another leading pickleball organization that organizes several tournaments throughout the year in different locations across North America and Europe. The APP offers competitive prize money for its tournaments, with a total purse of over $700,000 in 2022. The APP also has a ranking system that determines the eligibility and seeding of players in its tournaments.
USA National Pickleball Championship: This is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. It is held annually at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. It attracts some of the best players in the country and offers a total prize pool of $100,000 in 2022. The USA National Pickleball Championship is sanctioned by USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), the national governing body of the sport in the United States.
Other Tournaments: There are many other tournaments that offer prize money for pro pickleball players, such as the US Open Pickleball Championship, the Margaritaville World Pickleball Championship, the Tournament of Champions, and others. These tournaments are usually sanctioned by USAPA or other regional or international pickleball associations. The prize money for these tournaments can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
As pickleball gains popularity and draws more supporters and sponsors, the amount of money awarded to professional pickleball players might fluctuate in the future. The expenditures of playing the sport frequently surpass the prize money, hence it is not enough to support a professional career in pickleball on prize money alone.
How Much Do Pickleball Pros Make?
| Name | Rank (PPA) | Titles | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Johns | 1st in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles | 4 Triple Crowns, over 50 gold medals | $1.5 million |
| James “JW” Johnson | 2nd in men’s singles | 1 Triple Crown, several gold medals | $100,000 |
| Tyson McGuffin | 3rd in men’s singles, 4th in men’s doubles | 5 Grand Slam titles, 4 National titles | $80,000 |
| Riley Newman | 5th in men’s singles, 2nd in men’s doubles | 2 Triple Crowns, several gold medals | $50,000 |
| Collin Johns | 6th in men’s singles, 1st in men’s doubles | Several gold medals with his brother Ben Johns | $40,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Some of the top pro pickleball players in the world are Ben Johns, James “JW” Johnson, Tyson McGuffin, Riley Newman, Collin Johns, and others. They have won many titles and awards in the sport and have earned impressive amounts of money from their careers. Their estimated net worth and earnings vary from $40,000 to $1.5 million, depending on their achievements and sponsorships.
A: Playing pickleball professionally involves many costs, such as equipment and gear, court fees and memberships, travel and accommodation, insurance and taxes, and others. These costs can add up to thousands of dollars per year and may outweigh the income from playing the sport. Therefore, pro pickleball players have to manage their finances wisely and look for alternative sources of income.
A: Pro pickleball players make money from various sources, such as prize money, sponsorships, coaching, and online content creation. The average yearly earnings of a pro pickleball player range from $20,000 to $250,000, depending on their skill level, popularity, and performance. However, this amount is not fixed and may vary depending on various factors.
Conclusion
How much do pro pickleball players make? The income of professional pickleball players comes from a variety of sources, including prize money, sponsorships, coaching, and the development of internet content. Depending on their performance, popularity, and skill level, their typical yearly earnings range from $20,000 to $250,000. In their profession, they deal with a variety of expenses, difficulties, possibilities, and advantages. They are essential to the expansion and improvement of the sport.