Pickleball Scam UPDATE : FBI Investigates $9M Scheme

PLUS: SpinPro: “Revolutionary” Must-Have or $300 Gimmick? + The NEW 2025 pickleball rules explained...powered by Pickleball Playbook

December 04, 2024

 

Good evening, picklers.

This is The Pickle Talk, the pickleball newsletter that gives you the inside gossip like your Grandma Rose after a late night of bingo.

(You won’t miss a beat).

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

  • Pickle Talk: Pickleball Scam UPDATE : FBI Investigates $9M Scheme

  • Bite-sized: SpinPro: “Revolutionary” Must-Have or $300 Gimmick?

  • Golden Pickle: The NEW 2025 pickleball rules explained…powered by Pickleball Playbook

PICKLE TALK

🕵️‍♂️ Pickleball Scam UPDATE: FBI Investigates $9M Scheme

UPDATE TIME. The FBI’s Indianapolis Division is now investigating the potential investment scheme tied to Rodney Grubbs, former owner of Pickleball Rocks, a sports apparel brand.

Grubbs, a prominent now vilified figure in the pickleball community, has been accused of targeting players and fans with fraudulent investment pitches.

Here’s what we have for you.

The Allegations (ICYMI)👩🏼‍⚖️

Grubbs allegedly traveled to pickleball tournaments, befriending players and pitching his business as a golden opportunity. Sleezy businessman alert.

One victim, Teri Siewart, recalls being promised she’d be one of six investors contributing $25,000. Instead of returns, investors received elaborate excuses and delays.

Not good for the retirement account Teri. Not good at all.

📉 Here are the Key Details:

• Cease-and-Desist: Indiana’s Secretary of State issued an order against Grubbs for an alleged fraudulent scheme.

• Debt: Court documents reveal Grubbs owes more than $9 million.

• The Tactic: Victims were often told they were the “last available slot” in an exclusive investment deal.

🤨 The Fallout

This week, federal agents executed a search warrant at Grubbs’ Brookville, Indiana, home. The FBI is now asking potential victims to step forward and fill out a detailed questionnaire about their investments.

📢 Community Speaks Out

Siewart, one of Grubbs’ alleged victims, shared:

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“He seemed like a lovely person with a dream for pickleball, but he preyed on good people. This isn’t on them—it’s on him.”

How to Protect Yourself

This case is a blunt reminder that scammers can come from even the tightest-knit communities. Pickleball, while still growing, is a space for just this type of business scheme. So in short: Be wary where you put your money.

• Verify Investments: Always research and verify investment opportunities, especially from individuals you know personally.

• Trust, but Verify: Affable personalities can still be fronts for deception.

• Report Suspicion: If you or someone you know invested with Grubbs, the FBI wants to hear from you.

So here’s the Bigger Picture 🤳🏽

Grubbs’ alleged actions have shaken the pickleball community, a space built on camaraderie and trust... or so we thought.

Whether criminal charges will follow remains unclear, but for now, it’s a tough lesson for these investors. It can happen to anyone.

BITE-SIZED PICKLES to watch out for this week 👀

1/ 🛑 SpinPro: “Revolutionary” Must-Have or $300 Gimmick?

The SpinPro for Pickleball claims it’ll make you a spin master—topspin, slice, sidespin, you name it. But does this flashy gadget live up to the hype, or is it just another overpriced training tool? 😉

🙏🏼What SpinPro Promises

• How It Works: Guiding screens and a springy ball simulate spin mechanics, letting you repeat shots until “muscle memory” kicks in.

• The Pitch: “Dominate the court with spin.”

Sounds great. But here’s the catch: static drills can’t replicate the unpredictability of actual gameplay.

😒 What’s the Problem (in our opinion)?

1. Spin Is About Feel, Not Gadgets

Spin isn’t just mechanics—it’s about adjusting to a moving ball, opponent pressure, and game flow. Practicing spin on a stationary target can only take you so far.

2. Reps Without Context? Meh.

Sure, you’ll get hundreds of reps, but how useful are they if they don’t reflect real matches? SpinPro builds habits, but not the adaptability needed to apply them in-game.

3. High Price, Low Return

At $300, you’re better off investing in lessons or on-court drills. A bucket of balls and a good coach will give you way more bang for your buck.

What Actually Works

1. Pro Lessons: A coach can teach you spin tailored to your game.

2. Real Drills: Practice spin shots with a partner in real-game scenarios.

3. Watch the Pros: Learn by studying how top players like Ben Johns use spin.

Final Call: Skip the SpinPro

The SpinPro isn’t useless, but it’s no miracle worker. If you’re serious about improving, save your money and stick to tried-and-true methods: practice, coaching, and time on the court.

Spin is a skill—you don’t need a gimmick to master it. 🏓✨

2/🏓🍔 Pickleball + Tater Tots: Sonic’s Bold New Concept (gets another location in Texas)

Forget playgrounds—Sonic Drive-In in Bridgeport, TX, has gone full pickleball….again. (the first being in Canton, Texas)

Their new location on U.S. 380 features three pickleball courts, a playground, and a covered patio. Fast food meets fast serves.

Pickleball at Sonic? 🤑

This isn’t Sonic’s first experiment with sports; some franchises dabbled with volleyball courts in the past. Now they’re betting on pickleball—the nation’s fastest-growing sport—and it’s working.

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General Manager Sandra Morales says pickleball enthusiasts are loving the concept: “When it’s warm, [the courts and playground] stay busy the whole time.”

The Bridgeport courts add to Wise County’s growing roster, joining Harwood Park and Decatur’s Hollis Jones Park.

How It Works

• Reserve a Court: Use the CourtReserve App (search “Sonic of Bridgeport”) to seal your time.

• Hours: Courts are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., free to play.

• Bring Your Gear: No paddle? No problem. Buy a kit—two paddles and two balls—for $20 at Sonic.

Screens on-site display the day’s reservations, making it easy to jump in.

Why It’s a Hit 🥇

Pickleball is all about its social aspect. So pairing it with Sonic’s burgers, tots, and milkshakes creates the ultimate hangout spot. And with free court time, it’s hard to pass up. (P.S. I want to be on this marketing team)

GOLDEN PICKLE: Your must-clicks of the week

Just a few crumbs before you go…😉

1️⃣ PicklePod: On Air with Ryan Seacrest, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, talks about pickleball and dating on his most recent broadcast. Listen in. 👀

2️⃣ Watch & Learn: The NEW 2025 pickleball rules 🔑 explained…powered by Pickleball Playbook

3️⃣ The Rematch: Can 4.0 men beat 5.0 women in pickleball? 🤔

4️⃣ Reddit Debate: Pickleball for a “spicier” marriage? 🥵

5️⃣ Miss the last Pickle Talk? 🫵🏼

Pickle Talk: Pickleball PSA: Stop the Silent Treatment

Bite-sized: Pickleball Meets NASCAR—And Takes a Hit

Golden Pickle:  What’s your unpopular opinion about Pickleball?

No pickle left unturned…

AND BOOM!

Just like that, another edition of The Pickle Talk has concluded.

Alright now that Grammie is passed out in her arm chair, how about sharing that juicy gossip?

Thanks for sticking around for another edition and hey, if you’ve enjoyed this Pickle Talk…

Go ahead and share it with a friend or 3. There’s really no reason to gatekeep great pickleball content 😉

Thanks for reading!

Until next time, picklers.