PICKLEBALL—-on ESPN?!!

[Cardigan Kid]

https://www.usapa.org/what-is-pickleball/

Hey look at that. Another fringe sport that also has an association that sets rules and guidelines and also works to promote the game. Maybe one day we can get one of these, instead of whining on message boards that ESPN made a mean face at pool.

We do have one....

https://bca-pool.com/

And on their home page they have a photo of a guy sitting on the table rail which is nails on a chalkboard to most serious pool players.
So setting concrete rules and working to promote the sport is probably not high on their list.

At least we have AZ forums to lend somewhat of a voice.

 

[franko]

Agree

Your prerogative not to like these posts, but it’s my prerogative to post. Don’t like it? Then move on.

Yes you are correct people telling us not to whine while they are whining about a post they don't like ?

 

[JAM]

What the hell...ESPN is airing the US Pickleball National Championships?!!

Oh my gosh...pool is in a worse position than cornhole and pickleball?!

Thanks for posting. It's always good to see a barometer of sports on ESPN, epsecially in good ol' USA.

I would not have known about it had you not posted it. Thanks again! :smile:

 

[RichSchultz]

The game has actually been around a LONG time but has really exploded in last 8-9yrs. They are far more organized than many may realize. Equipment is cheap, games go quick, and court-time is usually free so its an easy sell to the public.

But is there money in it?

 

[Dead Money]

Thanks for posting. It's always good to see a barometer of sports on ESPN, epsecially in good ol' USA.

I would not have known about it had you not posted it. Thanks again! :smile:

Is Keith under the Radar now as a PickleBall Hustler?

 

[justadub]

I would suspect that they paid for all the production costs and gave them the product to play for free. Practically any free content will get airtime.

This is the correct answer.

Remember, the last time the WPBA (if I have the initials correct...the womens pool tour) was on ESPN regularly, they paid for the airtime too.

If you can get sponsors lined up to pay for it, you can put pool on TV too.

 

[alstl]

Mosconi once ate 526 pickles in pickleball before he got tired and quit.

 

[franko]

But

Yes but they were the little Gerkins , not full size Dills.

 

[spartan]

But is there money in it?

Right now it is shall we say , small pickle money like regional pool tourney - few thousand to winner.
But it with explosive demand growth numbers , prizemoney will explode also. MMA is example - top fighters earn millions these days compared to peanuts they earn years ago.
https://www.usopenpickleballchampionship.com/images/2018_prize_money_results.pdf