INDUSTRY NEWS

JOOLA Teams With Steve Aoki for Limited-Edition Pickleball and Table Tennis Collection

JOOLA is extending its reach beyond traditional racquet sports consumers through a new collaboration with two-time Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Steve Aoki, launching a limited-edition collection of pickleball paddles and table tennis rackets inspired by the artist’s HiROQUEST entertainment universe. The partnership brings together performance sports equipment, music, original artwork and collectibles in a premium product offering aimed at players and Aoki’s broader fan base.

The four-piece collection includes two JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm pickleball paddles priced at $349.95 each and two Infinity Carbon table tennis rackets. The equipment features artwork based on Hiro and Hyro, the opposing characters in Aoki’s HiROQUEST saga, which has expanded from music into graphic novels, manga and trading cards. Each product also includes a randomized collectible character card, with select numbered editions adding an element of scarcity to the release.

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Cliff Drysdale Management Unveils Refreshed Brand and Expanded Company Identity

Cliff Drysdale Management (CDM), a Troon company, today unveiled a refreshed brand identity that reflects the company’s expanded capabilities across racquet sports, club operations and hospitality. Effective immediately, the organization will sunset its longtime public-facing Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT) brand and move forward as Cliff Drysdale Management. The updated name and visual identity better represent the full scope of the company’s services and its continued evolution within the global racquet sports and hospitality industries.

While Cliff Drysdale Tennis has served as the company’s public-facing identity since 2001, the organization has operated as Cliff Drysdale Management LLC for many years. Tennis will always remain at the heart of the company’s story and a central part of its business.

The Picklr Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Rapid Franchise Expansion

The Picklr, one of the nation's largest indoor pickleball franchise operators, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to restructure financial obligations tied to its rapid expansion. Founder and CEO Jorge Barragan acknowledged that the company guaranteed lease payments for approximately 40 early franchise locations, creating significant liabilities for the parent company. Founded in 2021, The Picklr has grown to more than 70 U.S. locations, but reported a $4.4 million net loss on $10.3 million in revenue in 2025, according to financial disclosures cited by Sports Business Journal. An investor group led by franchisee Tom Neale has committed $4.5 million in financing, subject to court approval, to support the restructuring. The company says its clubs remain open and operating normally, although some consolidation is anticipated. The filing highlights mounting financial pressures in the rapidly expanding indoor pickleball industry, where aggressive growth, costly real estate commitments and uncertain facility economics are testing the sustainability of franchise business models.

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US Open National Pickleball Center Taps Jay Devilliers to Lead New Training Academy

The USOP National Pickleball Center in Naples, Florida, is expanding its player-development business with the launch of The Academy, a new high-performance training program led by professional pickleball star and 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles champion Jay Devilliers. Scheduled to open in November, the academy will bring touring-level coaching to one of the sport’s most recognizable venues, positioning the facility as a year-round training destination beyond its role as host of the annual US Open Pickleball Championships.

Devilliers, a former top-five PPA Tour player and No. 1 APP Tour competitor, brings extensive professional experience and an established coaching background. 

Pickleball Kingdom Expands New Jersey Footprint With 14-Court Woodbridge Club

Pickleball Kingdom is accelerating its expansion in New Jersey with plans for a 42,508-square-foot indoor facility in Woodbridge Township, marking the franchise operator’s fifth location in the state. Expected to open in early 2027, the new club will strengthen the company’s regional presence alongside locations in Hamilton, Tinton Falls, Watchung and Hillsborough.

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Grow Your Coaching Business With TopSpin Digital

TopSpin Digital is the revenue and marketing machine built specifically for independent racquet sports coaches — tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and platform tennis. We help coaches stop drowning in admin and start running a real business. Automated booking, payments, client reminders, Google presence management, and an AI marketing suite — all in one platform built for how coaching actually works. On this channel, Evan Dechtman shares honest, practical content for coaches who want to grow their income, reclaim their time, and build a business that runs even when they step off the court.