We were over the moon that the Pickleball slam had more viewers than MLB, NHL and NBA combined earlier this month, it looks like CBS took notice and plans to give the sport we love an even bigger television platform.
CBS and ESPN Embrace the Pickleball Phenomenon
“Pickleball has built an impressive name for itself in the world of entertainment in an extraordinarily short amount of time, and our agreement with CBS Sports is an important symptom of that,” said Connor Pardoe, CEO of the PPA Tour.
CBS and ESPN are doubling down on their commitment to the fastest-growing sport in America – pickleball. The Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) announced a deal with CBS Sports for the 2023 season, while the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) secured considerations with both CBS and ESPN for all tournaments this year. It’s clear that these networks are betting on pickleball becoming the sport of the future and that the bet won’t be vitiated by all the paddle controversy surrounding the women’s game.
The Growth of Pickleball
Steve Kuhn, the billionaire founder of @MajorLeaguePB, said on today's @Sporticast with @soshnick and @novy_williams that he believes pickleball will "easily" be a top five sport in terms of viewership within the next five years.
— Sporticast Media Network (@sporticast) March 14, 2023
He says it will challenge @MLS, @MLB and @NHL. pic.twitter.com/OaKfkMNAqC
Pickleball saw a staggering 36.5 million people in the U.S. play between August 2021 and August 2022, making it the fastest-growing sport for the second year in a row. The increased interest and viewership numbers from events like the Skechers Summer Invitational and the inaugural Pickleball Slam show that there is a dedicated audience for this sport.
What’s in Store for Pickleball Fans?
With these recent agreements, pickleball fans can expect:
- 12 hours of live matches and highlight-driven programs on CBS Sports Network.
- 8 hours of event recap telecasts on the ESPN2 cable network.
- Over 200 hours of live streaming coverage on ESPN+ and APP TV.
A Bold Move for Pickleball Coverage
The PPA Tour and CBS have agreed upon one weekend each month, except June, from now until August. This signals a significant investment in the sport by the network, and if the ratings hold up, pickleball could become a permanent fixture on CBS and its partnered networks.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s involvement also shows the company’s commitment to promoting and growing the sport. The dual agreements with CBS and ESPN only serve to increase pickleball’s visibility and accessibility to viewers.
A Sport on the Rise
It’s an exciting time for pickleball enthusiasts, as the sport continues to grow in popularity and gain mainstream attention. The recent TV deals with CBS and ESPN are a testament to the sport’s appeal and potential to become a significant player in sports entertainment. As more people discover the joys of pickleball, it will be interesting to see how the sport continues to evolve and make a name for itself in the years to come.
So, grab your paddles and prepare for some exhilarating action, as pickleball takes center stage on CBS, ESPN, and beyond!
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.
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