The pandemic sparked a growing interest in the game of pickleball, from people wanting to socialize, to investors hoping to find the next big game.
Ben Johns is the best in the world at what he does there — a sport few had heard of just two years ago, but now one in which some of the biggest sports franchises, leagues and names are investing millions.
Bollettieri Abdali is among the power players pivoting to pickleball. The owner of a traditionally-tennis club on the Pacific Coast is now playing host to a 1,300 player pickleball tournament."No doubt the pandemic really made people think more about how they can socialize, how they can recreate, and this game kind of gave them both at the same time," Bollettieri Abdali said."In tennis, you're about 80 feet away from each other, and tennis is also a very difficult sport.
The game is like a big version of ping pong. It's on a smaller court with a lower net and faster volleys. It makes for a quicker game, and one that just might be more accessible to the masses. "There are paddles that probably costs $15 in China that are being sold for $2-300," Bollettieri Abdali said."Private lessons and pickleball that used to cost $30, $40 at a public park today costs over $100, so it's changed quite a bit.""Where my concerns are is from an investment perspective: If there is going to be a media deal and if people are going to watch it on TV, I just have some concerns," said Keith Bank, a sports investor.
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