BREAKING: PPA & MLP Confirmed Expansion to Asia

Good evening, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: Pickleball Goes Global: PPA & MLP Expand to Asia

• Bite-sized: Pickleball Courts Push Mayor to Resign in P.E.I.

• Golden Pickle: #1 Ben Johns teaches the secret to pickleball’s 3rd and 5th shots.

PICKLE TALK

🌏 Pickleball Goes Global: PPA & MLP Expand to Asia

Big news. On Monday, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced their next power move: PPA Asia and MLP Asia.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Where it’s happening: Major markets like China, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore.

• When it’s launching:

• PPA Tour Asia kicks off in 2025 with iconic venues and an October marquee event featuring top pros from Asia, the U.S., and beyond.

• MLP Asia rolls out its franchised team play and domestic leagues in 2025-26, giving the region a homegrown feel for the sport.

🎾 Why Asia?

Asia already has a massive racket-sports culture, with badminton, table tennis, and tennis dominating the scene. In fact, badminton alone boasts 300+ million players worldwide, with a significant chunk coming from Asia. The logic is clear: if the region loves fast-paced, racket-centered action, pickleball could slide right into the mix.

Connor Pardoe, PPA CEO, put it best:

“This is a massive moment for global pickleball.”

And he’s not wrong—pickleball is growing like wildfire. A study by the APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) estimates there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S. alone. Now, Asia’s 4.7 billion people are about to get a taste of the action.

🌟 What the Pros Are Saying

Pickleball’s biggest stars are hyped:

• Quang Duong (Vietnam-born PPA player): “This is a huge moment for pickleball to explode across Asia.”

• Ben Johns: “Bringing professional pickleball to the world’s largest continent is an amazing opportunity.”

• Anna Bright: “Fans in the region will love pickleball just as much as we do.”

🧠 Smart Leadership = Big Moves

The expansion will be headed by Kimberly Koh, former Partnerships Director at World Table Tennis. With 13+ years of sports marketing experience, she’s no stranger to growing niche sports into big businesses.

📈 The Opportunity for Pickleball

Asia is a gold mine for sports leagues:

• The NBA generates 10%+ of its revenue from China alone.

• Badminton’s most-watched events draw millions of viewers globally, largely from Asia.

If pickleball captures even a slice of this audience, it could turn into a multi-billion-dollar global sport.

🥒 Our Take

This isn’t just a win for Asian markets; it’s a win for pickleball fans everywhere. The sport thrives on community and competition, and PPA Asia and MLP Asia could unite players and fans across continents like never before.

2025 can’t come soon enough—pickleball PPA & MLP is officially going worldwide.

BITE-SIZED PICKLES to watch out for this week 👀

1/ 🏛️ Pickleball Courts Push Mayor to Resign in P.E.I.

In a plot twist worthy of small-town politics, Kensington Mayor Rowan Caseley resigned after a heated debate over building six new pickleball courts.

The Cost Breakdown

The project includes courts, a washroom facility, and a parking lot, totaling $495,831.

• Canada Games Legacy Fund: $270,000 (55%).

• Town of Kensington: $225,831 + future maintenance.

Mayor Caseley argued the courts were a want, not a need, especially with budget pressures shelving other key projects this year.

“It’s never easy to say no to free money, but sometimes it’s the right decision.”

Divided Council, Divided Priorities

Council voted 3-2 to move forward, citing a Dec. 1 funding deadline and support from the Kensington Pickleball Club to fundraise

Caseley viewed the decision as a rejection of his leadership:

“This was a vote of non-confidence in me and our town manager.”

The mayor also highlighted that many court users wouldn’t be town taxpayers.

Pickleball’s Popularity vs. Town Budgets

With 36.5 million players in the U.S. alone, pickleball is booming across North America. But in small towns like Kensington, $500K courts can strain resources.

Other towns in P.E.I., like Charlottetown and Stratford, are embracing the sport, but Kensington’s saga underscores the challenge: investing in trends versus addressing needs.

2/ 🛠️ ONIX Launches New Malice Raw Carbon Paddles

ONIX Pickleball just dropped four new paddles in its Malice lineup, promising cutting-edge tech for players who demand control, spin, and power.

What’s New?

The Malice Raw Carbon and Malice DB Raw Carbon paddles come in two thickness options:

• 14mm Core: Prioritizes control and touch.

• 16mm Core: Adds maximum control for finesse players.

These paddles combine the raw carbon fiber surface (for extra spin) with ONIX’s patented Thermofused Technology, creating precision-engineered paddles designed for peak performance.

Key Features 🔑 :

• Carbon Fiber Power Frame: Full paddle wrap for durability.

• Tennis Handle with Foam Core: Better grip and comfort.

• Double-Bridge (Malice DB): Rubber inserts to reduce vibration and boost power.

• Polypropylene Honeycomb Core: Delivers a balance of power and pop.

• Medium Weight: 7.8–8.2 oz for pro-level responsiveness.

The textured raw carbon fiber face promises unmatched control and spin for serious shot-making.

What ONIX is Saying

“These paddles add touch, power, and response, making them perfect for players wanting extra strength in their lineup,” said Jay Simmons, ONIX Pickleball Product Manager.

3/ 💸 USA Pickleball’s Grant Program Aims to Grow the Game

USA Pickleball Serves, the charitable wing of USA Pickleball, has launched its Grow the Game grant program to help schools and community organizations nationwide kickstart or expand pickleball programs.

1/ What’s the Goal? 🤔

The program provides essential equipment to make pickleball more accessible, with a mission to get more people—especially youth—involved in the sport.

“Encouraging community members and youth to pick up a paddle… is a step forward in our mission to grow the game,” said Brenda Puga, USA Pickleball’s Director of Community Relations.

2/ Who Can Apply?✍🏻

Eligible applicants must:

• Be USA Pickleball members at any level.

• Represent a U.S.-based school or community organization with a public play area.

• Demonstrate a need for equipment to start or sustain a pickleball program.

3/ What’s in the Bundles?

Grant recipients can choose from several equipment bundles designed to meet varying program sizes:

• Dink Bundle: 24 wooden paddles, 100 balls, and one net.

• Drop Bundle: 48 wooden paddles, 100 balls, and two nets.

• Drive Bundle: 72 wooden paddles, 200 balls, and three nets.

• Campus Edition: 12 paddles, 100 balls, and three nets (for colleges/universities).

4/ Why It Matters👇🏾

This program is a big win for communities looking to make pickleball more accessible, especially for kids and beginners. Whether you’re building a program from scratch or leveling up existing efforts, these grants are a practical way to bring the sport to more people.

GOLDEN PICKLE: Your must-clicks of the week

Just a few crumbs before you go…😉

1️⃣Learn from a Pro World #1 Ben Johns teaches the secret to pickleball’s 3rd and 5th shots. Get 10x better in just 11 minutes.

2️⃣From NFL to Pickleball The former NFL wide receiver and Hall of Famer Terrell Owens will be playing in the Celebrity Pickleball Bash in February 2025.

3️⃣Power Paddle for Less The famed Vanguard Power Air Invikta is going for $180 right now.

4️⃣Pro Next Door This Redditor played with pros and got the gift of the season: free pickleball coaching.

5️⃣Go Off The internet is STILL going off on the pickleball head kick heard around the world. 160 comments and counting…

6️⃣Miss the last Pickle Talk? 👉🏻 Here’s what you missed: MLP Finals Recap: Dallas Shines, New Jersey Stumbles + The Pickleball Power Play: The Kitchen vs. Outta-The-Jar + Enhance Pickleball covers the newest pickleball rules for 2025