QVC + Pickleball = Match Made in... Your Living Room?

Good day, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: QVC + Pickleball = Match Made in… Your Living Room?

• Bite-sized: Emmys Golf Classic: Pickleball Debuts

• Golden Pickle: Epic Showdown Alert: Kids vs. Adults!

PICKLE TALK

QVC + Pickleball = Match Made in… Your Living Room?

Picture this:

You’re kicking back, watching some pickleball and filling up with ice cold whipped cream (because, why wouldn’t you?), and—bam!—you realize the paddle that just won the match is one click away from being in your shopping cart.

No, you didn’t black out and dream this. QVC made it happen.

Yep, QVC (yes, that QVC, home of all things shopping and apparently snap bands) just teamed up with USA Pickleball in a partnership that sounds like pickleball players everywhere just hit the jackpot… with their credit cards.

Here’s the deal:

QVC’s now the exclusive streamer of USA Pickleball matches—and when they say exclusive, they mean your living room is now the front row to watch every spin shot, smash, and dinking duel.

Oh, and while you’re at it, shop for some pickleball swag through their “On the Court” page, featuring USA Pickleball-approved gear.

1/ SO…Why QVC? Why now? 

Well, pickleball isn’t just for your neighbors in their new “I’ve-got-this” sneakers.

The sport is exponentially growing especially with women 45+.

Over 5 million of them are already playing, and let’s be real, QVC’s key demo is sitting right there, paddle in hand. So QVC’s basically saying, “We know you love this game, let us help you buy everything you didn’t know you needed.”

2/ What’s the play? 

The action starts with the Golden Ticket Tournaments, leading up to the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships in November. And guess what? It’s streaming live on QVC+ and HSN+ (because one streaming platform isn’t enough).

Get ready for the biggest pickleball event of the year, all while getting “add to cart” happy.

Even better? QVC is planning some on-site fun at Nationals—think product demos, hangouts with hosts, and all the pickleball gear you never knew existed.

3/ But wait, there’s more… 

This isn’t just a random pickleball fling. It’s part of QVC’s big new “Age of Possibility” campaign, where they’re celebrating women 50+ who are out there living their best lives—and yeah, crushing it on the pickleball court. They’ve got a dream team of influencers they’re calling the Quintessential 50 (Q50)—think Patti LaBelle, Naomi Watts, and Jennifer Dawson (who, BTW, is a 50-year-old pickleball Triple Crown champ).

QVC’s smart—pickleball isn’t just another sport, it’s a lifestyle.

And they’re doubling down on that, big time. The Q50 campaign’s already raking in serious numbers: 38 billion media impressions, 1 million website visits, and a 200% boost in social followers.

Pickleball is popping off on TV, thanks to QVC’s partnership.

TL;DR:

• QVC just became USA Pickleball’s official match streamer (and shopping hub).

• You can now watch live pickleball on QVC+ and HSN+, and snag your own gear while you’re at it.

• The partnership is targeting pickleball-crazy women 50+, who already love QVC.

• It’s all part of QVC’s “Age of Possibility” campaign featuring stars like Patti LaBelle and Triple Crown pickleball champ Jennifer Dawson.

The Bottom Line: Pickleball is a cash cow opportunity, and QVC wants to sell you the paddle to keep up with the trend. Think of it as the most QVC move ever—sports and shopping, all in one go.

Joi

BITE-SIZED PICKLE

1/ Serving Smiles: Simplified Pickleball for Alzheimer’s Support
As pickleball's popularity skyrockets across the U.S., a group in Lakewood, Colorado is stepping up to make the sport accessible for those with Alzheimer’s. WE SUPPORT THAT!

Founder Chris Beal noticed that the complexities of the game often intimidated older players, so she stripped it down to its essence, emphasizing fun and engagement.

…and you know, to get the brain working.

And with weekly sessions at the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center, players are not only improving their physical abilities but also building a supportive community.

2/ MLP Virginia Beach Cup Recap

Alright RFK, what do you have for us?

This past week, the courts were buzzing at the Stratosphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup, where the Professional Pickleball Association hosted its fifth 1500-point event of the season. Over 800 players took to the courts, showcasing some incredible talent.

RFK: And here was the break down…

Men’s Singles: Ben Johns clinched his 40th PPA singles title in Virginia Beach, dominating the competition with ease. Notable upsets included qualifier Max Green's impressive run to the quarterfinals, where he faced off against Johns.
Women’s Singles: Anna Leigh Waters continued her reign, taking home the gold against Brooke Buckner in a tightly contested match.
Mixed Doubles: The dynamic duo of Waters and Johns continued their undefeated streak, besting JW and Jorja Johnson for the title.
Men’s Doubles: Staksrud & Patriquin made waves by coming back from a 2-1 game deficit to defeat the Johns brothers, showcasing their growing chemistry on the court.
Women’s Doubles: Waters & Parenteau are back on top after the #1 team lost at the Atlanta Slam just recently. With this win, Waters secures her 29th career PPA Triple Crown and her 9th triple crown of the 2024 season.

3/ Emmys Golf Classic: Pickleball Debuts
In a star-studded day of sport and charity, the Television Academy Foundation raised over $450,000 at the 24th Annual Emmys Golf Classic. That’s right Meryl, cheer away.

For the first time, they introduced an afternoon pickleball competition, the "Emmys Pickleball Slam," adding a fresh twist to the event.

Participants included television stars and sports icons, all coming together to support the Foundation's internship programs.

GOLDEN PICKLE, ANYONE?

🎾 The Court Wars: Pickleball’s Taking Over
Hold onto your paddles… The USTA has officially dropped the bomb: at least 10% of tennis courts in the U.S. have been repurposed for pickleball.

Yep, you heard that right. USTA CEO Lew Sherr is sounding the alarm, saying tennis is “losing ground fast.” With courts getting a makeover to accommodate the pickleball craze, we’re talking about a couple of paint strokes and—bam!—you’ve got two pickleball courts where there used to be one tennis court.

Novak Djokovic even chimed in this summer, warning that the economics of pickleball could mean tennis is “in danger.”

🌞 A New Invention: Paddle Dryers to beat the sweat
Shoutout to innovation. A Redditor just shared how his buddy whipped up a handle dryer for pickleball paddles to tackle the Florida heat. No more sweaty grips or sticky situations—just pure, unadulterated gameplay. Talk about leveling up your game in the summer swelter.

🎥 Epic Showdown Alert: Kids vs. Adults!
Ever seen a 5.0 adult take on two 12-year-old pickleball champs? Yeah, us neither—until now. Check out the latest upload from Friday Pickleball to see this wild match unfold. It’s a clash of ages, skills, and maybe a little sass. Spoiler: it’s a total nail-biter.