The Pickle Talk
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The Pickle Talk, ACTIVATED.

The Pickle Talk, ACTIVATED.

Read time: 3 min

Welcome, Kitcheners.

Today, The Kitchen Confidant has been activated.

My goal? To scour the internet for everything pickleball news, recipes, and media so YOU can stay up-to-date with the thriving world of pickleball.

It’s a never-ending storm out there…

So let me brave it, n’ you just sit back & relax, eh?

Set down your paddles…

And let’s step into the kitchen.

TODAY’S MENU

News Stash: $400 million in injuries, Pickleball vs NBA, MLP's new CEO
Sizzling Skills: The illegal serve, defense tip, & the never-ending dink-off
Recipe of the Week: Dill Pickle Bacon Cheese Ball 🤤
Social Pickle: Jamie Foxx plays pickleball & Pro Erik Lange leaves corporate job to play pickleball full-time

NEWS STASH

Pickleball players, beware—Injuries are costing Americans $400 million this year

Pickleball is all the rage, but this paddle sport is pickling seniors' joints. With pickleball injuries like sprains and fractures in players over 60 on the rise, medical costs are set to hit $377 million this year. Blame the pickleball craze - participation has nearly tripled to 22 million players since 2019. Yet the sport's "can-do" vibe that seniors love could leave them saying "can-don't" thanks to injuries driving up healthcare spending. This pickle of a situation shows pickleball's popularity comes with a hefty price. Read more here —>

Expert opinion: ex-NBA team owner suggests that Pickleball investments are higher than NBA’s

Billionaire baller Marc Lasry is swapping NBA hardwood for pickleball courts. He just sold his Milwaukee Bucks stake, but sees juicy returns in upstart leagues like his pickleball team, which spiked tenfold in value to $10 million. Smaller teams in Europe and Asia offer slam dunk deals too, while he expects ho-hum growth for the Bucks. Though expecting a mild recession to cause some fouls, Lasry believes the Fed will pass rate cuts. For investors like him, new sports ventures score big, while major leagues hardly move the net worth needle. Read more here —>

MLP crowns new CEO & COO

Pickleball's popularity is exploding, and Major League Pickleball just recruited top execs to capitalize. New CEO Julio DePietro and COO Bruce Popko aim to grow the pro sport into a tennis titan. DePietro sees massive potential, with team values already spiking 100X. Their goals: convert casual players into avid fans, score sponsorship and media deals, and build player stars. Though early days, DePietro believes MLP can become a household name by maximizing its voracious fanbase. This all-star leadership lineup has an ambitious plan to pickle MLP into a major league contender. Read more here —>

SIZZLING SKILLS

To learn the game, you must watch the pro’s do what they do best.

Watch these 3 shorts to help you improve your pickleball game immediately.

Ready…Setty…GO! 🚦

In a pickle: Eliminate any force when dropping ball to serve

In a pickle: Ball is up, and your paddle is down

In a pickle: The never-ending dink fest 😱

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Pickleball = Community. So why not be the bell of the cheese ball and serve up a mid-play snack?

DILL PICKLE BACON CHEESE BALL

Courtesy of The Salty Marshmallow

Recipe:

The Ingredients

1 Pound Bacon, Cooked and Crumbled
5 Green Onions, Diced
12 Ounces Cream Cheese Softened
2 Tablespoons Dill Pickle Juice
1 Cup Chopped Dill Pickles
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

Place the softened cream cheese in a large bowl, and stir in the pickle juice and garlic powder until smooth.
Stir in the chopped pickles, cheddar, and half of the crumbled bacon until well combined.
Use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball.
Pour the remaining crumbled bacon and the diced onion in a single layer on a large plate.
Roll the cheese ball into the bacon and onion mixture until coated on all sides.
Serve immediately or cover in an airtight container for up to 2 days before serving.
Serve this with your favorite chips, crackers, and veggies.

The Review

❝

I added a bit of ground chipotle chili pepper and a little smoked paprika to give it just a little kick!Amazing!

❝

Best Cheese Ball ever! Best if made the day before, also awesome the same day! Everywhere I take it - it is always gone and I am asked for the recipe. You can’t go wrong with this cheese ball!

Thanks to The Salty Marshmallow for the recipe!