Pickleball Buzz Beyond the Kitchen 5/25

Table of Contents

• From the Dink Newsletter

• $65M tennis and pickleball complex proposed at Lou …

• OnCourt OffCourt Launches Branded OCOC Pickleballs

• National Pickleball League’s Coachella Valley Scor …

• Major League Pickleball names Samin Odhwani as com …

• Pro Tip: How to Maximize the Fourth Shot (Catherine Parenteau)

• Two Major Cities Crack Down on Public Pickleball
  Seattle: A Win for Lincoln Park
  Denver: Gates Tennis Center Creates Quiet Pickleball Courts With Cushioned Paddles

• The Spin Serve is LEGAL AGAIN in Pro & Amateur Pickleball!

• Video: Which Paddle Shape Is Right for You?

• Pro Strategy Breakdown—Small Tweaks, Big Results

• Getting Smoked at the Kitchen Line? Step Off

• Pickleball Lowers Risk of Depression by 60%

• The ‘Unexpected’ Split of Pickleball’s Fiercest Duo

• Report: Pickleball’s Explosive Paddle Market

• Short King or Queen? Choose Your Doubles Partner Wisely

• Tracking Pickleball Injuries with the Power of AI

• Bully Ball: The 2-on-1 Drill for Better Partner Communications

• USAP Wants to Build a $50,000 Pickleball Court in Your Neighborhood

• Dream Team: Anna Leigh Waters x Andre Agassi at the US Open

• Axed: Florida Parks = Paddle-Free

• The Nadal-Inspired Shot ALW Swears By

• Master Class: The 3rd-Shot Slice Drop with Mari Humberg

• The New State of Serving with Zane Navratil

• A More Proactive Approach to Injury Maintenance

• Beach, Please—USAP Nationals Are Headed to San Diego

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A $65 million proposal, led by newly formed nonprofit Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc., aims to "help breathe new life" into the Louisville Tennis Center.

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OnCourt OffCourt Launches Branded OCOC Pickleballs

OnCourt OffCourt is thrilled to announce the launch of their branded OCOC Pickleballs. These neon yellow outdoor balls come in a set of 25 and are built for reliable performance, exceptional durability, and easy visibility on any court.

Suggested retail is $49.95. Contact OnCourt OffCourt 1-888-366-4717 or visit www.OnCourtOffCourt.com for more information.

The groundbreaking deal marks leading pickleball brand JOOLA’s entry into professional team sponsorship with the Champions Division (age 50+) Franchise

National Pickleball League’s Coachella Valley Scorpions and JOOLA, a global leader in pickleball and table tennis, are thrilled to announce a partnership to support competitive pickleball for Champions Division (age 50+) professional players. JOOLA proudly joins the Scorpions’ impressive sponsor roster alongside Agua Caliente Casinos. 

Through this partnership, Scorpions Pickleball and JOOLA will combine their expertise to offer community pickleball clinics, celebrity and ProAm exhibitions, youth programming, senior open play, exciting events at Agua Caliente Casinos, and more. The partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to community and inclusivity within the fastest-growing sport in the United States.

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership with JOOLA,” said Rob Zwemmer, President of the Scorpions. “Their commitment to promoting paddle sports aligns perfectly with our mission of bringing sports and community together. Together, we will elevate our outreach programs, making pickleball more accessible and enjoyable for all residents in the Coachella Valley.”

The partnership between Scorpions Pickleball and JOOLA is particularly significant as it marks JOOLA’s first sponsorship of a professional pickleball team. Historically focused on supporting individual pro athletes, this collaboration highlights JOOLA’s dedication to advancing the team dynamic within the sport.

“Our partnership with Scorpions Pickleball and Champions Pro reinforces JOOLA’s dedication to expanding the pickleball community,” said Richard Lee, CEO & Owner of JOOLA. “Pickleball is a sport for everyone, and this collaboration allows us to showcase the competitive play of the Scorpions team while continuing to grow the game at all levels.”

Founded in 2022 by Champions Pro players Rick Witsken, Beth Bellamy, and Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen, the National Pickleball League is a nationwide team competition for Champions Division (age 50+) professional pickleball players. The league is made up of 12 teams in metropolitan locations in Indianapolis, Austin, Boca Raton, Naples, Denver, Oklahoma City, Houston, Seattle, Kansas City, Columbus, Princeton, and the Coachella Valley. The 2025 regular season events take place once per month from May to September, leading up to the NPL Championship in October.

Sports Business Journal: Major League Pickleball, the team-based U.S. pickleball league that merged with the PPA Tour to form the United Pickleball Association last year, has named UPA Chief Strategy Officer Samin Odhwani as its next commissioner.

Odhwani, previously Manager of Global Strategy & Innovation at the NBA and VP/Strategy for Kevin Durant’s 35V and Boardroom, has worked across the PPA and MLP as CSO since January -- and will retain that title in his new, expanded role. He was also the GM of the MLP team in which Durant is invested, the Brooklyn Aces (now D.C. Pickleball Team), from mid-2023 until this February.

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