Pickleball’s Payday: Pro Women Earn More than WNBA and NWSL Stars
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The world of professional sports is seeing a seismic shift, and it’s not in the arenas you might expect. While the WNBA and NWSL continue to fight for fair compensation, a surprising contender has emerged: professional pickleball. Female pickleball players are now earning salaries that dwarf those of thier counterparts in basketball and soccer, a testament to the sport’s explosive growth and lucrative potential.
According to recent reports, the average salary for the approximately 60 women competing on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) is a staggering $260,000. This figure surpasses the highest salary in the WNBA and is more than double the average wage in the National Women’s Soccer league (NWSL).
This stark contrast is highlighted by the WNBA’s highest earner, Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, whose salary is reported to be $252,450. Even rising star Caitlin Clark, after a phenomenal college career at iowa, earned only $76,000 as a rookie this season. The disparity extends to the NWSL, where top earners make around double the average WNBA salary.
“The average pay for the roughly 60 women competing in the Professional pickleball Association Tour and Major League pickleball is $260,000 — which tops the highest pay in the WNBA and is more than twice the average wage of athletes in the National Women’s Soccer League,” a recent report stated.
In the NWSL,Sophie Smith of the Portland Thorns leads the pack with a salary exceeding $500,000,but the average player earns considerably less,around $65,000 per season. While some top NWSL players like Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, Maria Sanchez, and Crystal Dunn earn between $250,000 and $450,000, a ample gap remains between the highest and lowest paid players.
The meteoric rise of professional pickleball is undeniable. The PPA Tour and MLP, both under the United Pickleball Association umbrella, saw players earn over $30 million in salaries alone last year. This financial success is further exemplified by Anna Leigh Waters, whose agent reported she’s poised to earn a remarkable $3 million this year from salary and endorsements. ”Anna Leigh Waters, a former tennis player who is ranked No. 1 in the world in singles, doubles and mixed doubles pickleball, stands to earn $3 million from salary and endorsements this year,” her agent confirmed.
Pickleball Phenom Out-Earns Top Male Pro
The world of professional pickleball is experiencing a meteoric rise, and one young woman is making waves – literally. Leigh Waters’ daughter, a 15-year-old pickleball prodigy, is reportedly earning more than the top-ranked male player, a testament to the sport’s explosive growth and the lucrative opportunities it presents.
Waters, whose mother played Division I tennis at the University of South Carolina, began her pickleball journey at just 12 years old in 2019.Her rapid ascent has been nothing short of remarkable, culminating in earnings that surpass even those of Ben Johns, the number one ranked male pickleball player.
According to CNBC, Johns is estimated to earn $2.5 million this year from salary and endorsements. “I have a multimillion-dollar salary now,” Johns stated in a recent interview. however, Waters’ earnings are reportedly exceeding this figure, a stunning advancement in the relatively young professional pickleball landscape.
This financial success isn’t just about individual talent; it reflects the burgeoning interest in pickleball and the notable investment pouring into the sport. Major players in the sports and business worlds are recognizing the potential.
The Major League Pickleball (MLP) boasts a star-studded roster of investors, including NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant, retired NFL legends Tom Brady and Drew Brees, and prominent entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Gary Vaynerchuk. Several private equity and venture capital firms have also joined the fray, further fueling the sport’s growth and attracting top-tier talent like Waters.
Waters’ success story underscores the evolving landscape of professional sports and the potential for significant financial rewards in unexpected places. As pickleball continues its rapid expansion, more young athletes may find themselves following in her footsteps, challenging traditional notions of athletic success and earning potential.
The Pickleball Boom: Conversations With Janice Griffin
Janice Griffin,a renowned sports economist specializing in the economics of emerging sports,sat down with World Today News senior editor,Mark Evans, to explore why pickleball players are earning more than their counterparts in established leagues like the WNBA and NWSL .
Mark Evans: Janice,thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right in: why are professional pickleball players,especially women,earning such staggering salaries?
Janice Griffin: It’s a fascinating phenomenon. While the WNBA and NWSL continue to grapple with parity in compensation, professional pickleball has entered the scene with a bold financial statement. A mix of factors contribute to this. First,there’s the sheer explosive growth of pickleball itself.
Its accessibility, social nature, and relatively low barrier to entry have made it incredibly popular, attracting a broad demographic, especially those seeking a fun and less physically demanding alternative to sports like tennis.
Evans: So,it’s a combination of rising popularity and a unique demographic appeal,right?
Griffin: Precisely. This popularity has attracted notable investment from major players, from NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant to entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, pouring capital into leagues like the Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour.
With more investment comes bigger sponsorships, lucrative broadcasting deals, and, ultimately, higher player payouts.
evans: It’s fascinating to see athletes in a relatively young sport like pickleball leapfrog more established leagues in terms of compensation.What does this say about the potential future of pickleball?
Griffin: It’s a testament to the sport’s trajectory. We could see pickleball disrupt the conventional landscape of professional sports. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the coming years, it becomes even more lucrative than some existing major leagues.
Evans: and what about the implications for women’s sports specifically?
Griffin: this is massive.While the WNBA and NWSL are making strides, pickleball’s financial success could pave the way for greater salary equity and opportunities across the board in women’s sports.
It’s a powerful example of how a young, rapidly growing sport can challenge the status quo and create a more equitable landscape.
Evans: Janice, thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Griffin: My pleasure, mark. It’s certainly an exciting time to be following the world of pickleball.
