Pickleball better than MLB, NBA and NHL

Mikhail Ricci April 21, 2023 60 2

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It turns out we Pickleballogists weren’t the only ones super psyched about the Pickleball Slam. The event took place last weekend and to say it was a smashing hit would be a huuuuuge understatement.

The inaugural Pickleball Slam averaged nearly 670,000 viewers on ESPN.

Showcasing John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang @pickleballslam peaked with 796,000 viewers. pic.twitter.com/SM9pTTKvWh
— Sportico (@Sportico) April 4, 2023

Almost 800,000 viewers on a Sunday afternoon is almost unheard of outside the world of the NFL and the premier league.

The Pickleball Slam’s success can be attributed to its unique blend of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. This quirky amalgamation of sports has created a new sports genre that is accessible and enjoyable to all ages. Pickleball has captured the hearts and minds of millions of worldwide viewers, and the Pickleball Slam has only solidified its position as a legitimate sporting event.

A big thank you to @AndreAgassi @andyroddick @MichaelChang89 @JohnMcEnroe @espn @HardRockHolly and all of our fans for lighting up Sunday! pic.twitter.com/9uz2aqKSmv
— The Pickleball Slam (@pickleballslam) April 6, 2023

I still can’t wrap my mind around how awesome that is. 🤯🤯🤯

The triumph of Pickleball has defied conventional wisdom, which held that only established sports with deep histories could generate interest and command attention. Pickleball has shown that innovation and creativity can go a long way in creating a successful and engaging sporting event.

The Pickleball Slam’s victory over the MLB, NBA, and NHL is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and innovation. It has proven that there is room for new and unconventional sports in the world of televised sports.

Thanks GMA!! Great coverage. And yes Pickleball is here to stay.!!
⁦@GMA⁩ ⁦@pickleballslam⁩ pic.twitter.com/fDOgIjBiK5
— Chris Weil (@ChrisWeil) April 3, 2023

This point was bonkers! Johnny Mac still has quick reflexes

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Mikhail Ricci

Dink Evaluator at Pickleballologist

Hey there, I'm Mike. I'm a pickleball aficionado by day, pickleball dreamer by night, and honestly, the only thing I'm probably worse at than avoiding tripping over my own shoelaces is resisting the addictive allure of pickleball.

I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.

As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!

My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.

Social FTW!