Sorry ALW: Pickleball will NOT be in the Olympics anytime soon

Good day, picklers.

A bit of an update from The Pickle Talk HQ. 

Starting next week, The Pickle Talk is becoming a daily newsletter so you never miss the most updated and most read-worthy pickleball news.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: Pickleball in the Olympics? Here’s Why It’s Not Happening Anytime Soon

• Hot Topic: Jenna Palek's $50K Pickleball Paddle Investment: Love It or Hate It?

• Bite-sized: Will Life Time’s patent-pending ball be the “game changer”?

• Golden Pickle: UPDATE ON THE The UPA-A Interim (paddle) Certification Program

PICKLE TALK

Pickleball in the Olympics? Here’s Why It’s Not Happening Anytime Soon

Anna Leigh Waters, the undisputed queen of pickleball, has a dream: to one day see her sport at the Olympics, battling it out for gold on the world’s biggest stage. But as much as we’d all love to see pickleball serve its way into the hearts of millions, the reality is, it’s got a long road ahead before it can join the Olympic ranks.

The Olympic Shuffle: New Sports, Old Problems

Let’s take a quick lap around the Olympic block. The Paris 2024 Games are bringing in fresh faces like skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and—wait for it—breaking (yep, breakdancing is making its Olympic debut). These sports are the new kids on the block, appealing to younger audiences and shaking up the traditional Olympic lineup. Meanwhile, Tokyo 2020’s one-hit wonders—baseball, softball, and karate—are sitting this one out, showing that just because a sport makes it to the Olympics doesn’t mean it’s there to stay.

Fast forward to LA 2028, and we’re looking at flag football and lacrosse joining the mix. It’s clear the Olympics are evolving, constantly adding and subtracting sports to keep things fresh and relevant. But how does a sport make the cut? It’s not as simple as just being popular. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a long checklist that any wannabe Olympic sport has to tick off.

The Pickleball Problem: Governance and Global Reach

Here’s where pickleball hits its first roadblock: governance. The Olympic Charter requires one global governing body to represent and regulate a sport. But pickleball, being the rebellious youngster that it is, has not one, not two, but three competing organizations vying for control: the World Pickleball Federation, the International Pickleball Federation, and the Global Pickleball Federation.

Until these three can get in a room, sort out their differences, and merge into a single, unified body, pickleball won’t even be considered by the IOC. And that’s just the start.

But just for fun, let’s say they do manage to get their act together.

The next hurdle is proving that pickleball has the global reach required for Olympic inclusion. The IOC isn’t just looking for a sport that’s popular in a few countries; it needs to be a worldwide phenomenon. Specifically, to be a permanent Olympic sport, pickleball must be practiced by men in at least 75 countries across four continents and by women in at least 40 countries across three continents.

Currently, pickleball’s got some traction—players in 60 countries across six continents—but it’s still short of the mark. The sport is growing, but it needs to reach a much broader audience to meet the IOC’s criteria.

Why Pickleball Isn’t Ready for Prime Time

Even if pickleball’s governance issues were resolved tomorrow, and even if it met the global reach requirements, the sport would still face challenges. The IOC also evaluates potential Olympic sports based on factors like youth appeal, gender balance, and innovation. While pickleball is making strides, it still has to prove it can capture the imagination of a global audience in the way that, say, skateboarding or surfing has.

Plus, there’s the question of tradition. The Olympics have a deep-rooted history, and while they’re open to change, they’re also about preserving the legacy of certain sports. That’s why you’ll always see swimming, athletics, and gymnastics—core sports that have been there since the beginning—on the roster.

The Bottom Line

So, where does that leave Anna Leigh Waters’ Olympic dreams? Well, they’re still dreams, for now. Pickleball needs to get its house in order—unify its governing bodies, expand its global footprint, and prove that it’s more than just a passing fad—before it can even think about getting on the Olympic program.

But here’s the thing: pickleball is growing, and fast. It’s a sport on the rise, capturing the attention of everyone from retirees to millennials looking for a new way to stay active. If it can continue this momentum, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see Waters and other pickleball pros battling it out for Olympic gold. Just don’t hold your breath for 2028.

In the meantime, pickleball fans will have to be content with the rapid growth and increasing popularity of the sport. And who knows? With a little more time, a lot more players, and a unified front, pickleball might just surprise us all.

SOCIAL HOT TOPIC

Jenna Palek's $50K Pickleball Paddle Investment: Love It or Hate It?

Jenna Palek, the TikTok star known for her vibrant personality and savvy online presence, has made a bold, yet questionable new venture: pickleball paddles. Palek has invested a whopping $50,000 into this venture.

Here’s the lowdown on her latest endeavor and why it’s stirring up quite the buzz.

The Paddle Deal: What’s in the Bundle?

Palek’s pickleball paddles come with a promise of quality and style. Each paddle is double-sided and crafted from carbon fiber, designed for durability and performance. The bundle includes:

• Two indoor balls

• A paddle

• A stylish tote bag

Priced at $40.99 for the bundle, or $35 for a single paddle, or $70 for a set of two, Palek’s offering aims to appeal to both casual players and serious enthusiasts. The brand name? Fun on Weekdays. It’s a nod to her playful approach and the large Facebook community she’s cultivated, which boasts nearly 96,000 members.

The TikTok Announcement: A Cry for Help?

Palek took to TikTok to share her investment journey, expressing her anxiety about the potential for the project to flop. Her video was titled: “I invested $50,000 into a business idea & I'm terrified for it to flop. Now you know why I literally cannot afford to host events, I’m so so sorry guys. Please help the pickleball girlies see this video!!”

In her post, she’s transparent about her financial commitment and the pressure she feels. But the response has been mixed.

The Backlash: Not Everyone’s Loving the Pitch

While some fans are rooting for her, others have voiced their concerns and criticisms:

• Bayley pointed out, “If your Facebook community was buying the paddles, you wouldn’t have to be making this video… I’d take the advice on the more subtle branding for future projects.”

• Taylor commented, “It’s giving—I spent a lot of money as an influencer and I need you all to buy.”

• Megan, a pickleball player, voiced her doubts: “Tbh pov from a pickleball player, them not being USA Pickleball approved has me 1000% overlooking them. They’re cute but not functional. Just an idea. But idk how it also has cost you $50k…”

The Bottom Line

Jenna Palek’s gamble on pickleball paddles is a questionable, high-stakes move that blends her personal brand with her passion for the game. While the paddles are geared up with standard paddle features and a strong community backing, the reaction to her marketing strategy reveals a nuanced landscape of influencer-driven commerce.

Some fans appreciate her transparency and dedication, while others question the authenticity and practicality of the product.

@jennapalek

I invested $50,000 into a business idea & im terrified for it to flop. Now you know why i literally cannot afford to host events, im so so... See more

BITE-SIZED PICKLE

Will Life Time’s patent-pending ball be the “game changer”?

Life Time is making headlines again, this time with the announcement of a new patent-pending ball they’re calling The Ultimate Pickleball. Set to debut on August 19 at a glitzy event featuring tennis icon Andre Agassi, the company claims this ball will solve all your problems with speed, bounce, and durability.

But here’s the kicker: Life Time’s CEO, Bahram Akradi, an avid pickleball player and engineer, insists that after rigorous testing, they’ve created a ball that actually delivers. Yet, with countless products on the market already promising the same, you have to wonder—will this one really stand out, or is it just another flashy gimmick?

Sure, Life Time boasts over 700 courts and hosts major tournaments, but can this new ball live up to the hype? The Ultimate Pickleball will roll out first at Life Time clubs and be used in all Pickleball Classic tournaments. So, mark your calendars for the big reveal and get ready to judge for yourself—because we’ve seen this dance before.

GOLDEN PICKLE, ANYONE?

UPDATE ON THE The UPA-A Interim (paddle) Certification Program

The Interim Certification Program utilizes deflection testing to assess paddle power, establishing an Acceptable Deflection Force (ADF) of 46. This is a significant increase from the current limits enforced at UPA events, meaning that paddles will generate less power than what is allowed for currently. Additionally, the program sets a maximum RPM threshold of 2200. All paddles applying for UPA Interim Certification must adhere to both these thresholds and sustain these limitations throughout the paddle’s playing life.

IN ADDITION: Full details about the 2025 UPA-A Professional Certification will be released in mid-September. Beginning in 2025, all professional pickleball players competing in UPA events—such as those in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP)—must use paddles certified by UPA-A.