INDUSTRY NEWS

• Caliber Receives Design Review Approval for PURE Pickleball & Padel Project - Caliber announced that its joint venture development, PURE Pickleball & Padel™, has gained Design Review approval from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) Planning Department. This approval positions the project to seek a building permit once the final construction documents are complete, with a planned groundbreaking date shortly after receiving the permit. PURE Pickleball & Padel™ is developing an 11+ acre site in the Riverwalk Development Project in the Talking Stick Entertainment District, a 100-acre site in the SRPMIC adjacent to Scottsdale.

• The Picklr Keystone Crossing Announces Club Medalists at 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships - The Picklr Keystone Crossing announced its list of 15 members, club ambassadors, instructors, and Club Coordinator who medaled in the 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. Held in Naples, Florida, from April 25th through May 3rd, the 2025 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships boasted more than 3,000 players competing and attendees from all 50 states and more than 30 countries.

• Knott’s Fine Foods Adds Flavor to Third Annual Eiffel Tower Classic Pickleball Tournament - From May 2-4, more than 100 pickleball players from across the region gathered in Paris, Tennessee, for the Third Annual Eiffel Tower Classic, proudly sponsored by Knott’s Fine Foods. Throughout the weekend of friendly competition, Knott’s served unlimited samples of its signature Chicken Salad on flaky croissants as well as tortilla wraps filled with chunky chicken, bell peppers, lettuce and its popular Fried Pickle Dip.

• PPL Taps Heavy Hitters to Fuel Explosive Growth - The Pro Padel League (PPL) isn’t just riding the wave of padel’s rapid rise—it’s steering the ship full throttle. In a bold statement of intent, the league has appointed two seasoned executives—Brian Flinn as Chief Operating Officer and Diane Gotua as Chief Commercial Officer—to power its next phase of growth across North America and beyond.

• Squash Team USA Takes on the World's Best at PSA World Championships - Eight Americans, led by world No. 4 Olivia Weaver and world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy, will take on the world's best this week during the 2024-2025 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family at the University Club of Chicago and LakeShore Sport and Fitness, May 9-16. The PSA World Championships bring 128 of the world’s best players together, competing for a record prize purse of $1.3 million, vying for the title of World Champions.

UPF Sportswear

Why Your Apparel (and Pro Shop) Need Sun Protection Too

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, has been drilled into us by dermatologists for decades. And for good reason. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with 1 in 5 Americans expected to develop it by age 70. UV radiation—whether the skies are sunny or overcast—is the #1 cause. Sunscreen remains critical, but clothing has become the first—and often forgotten—line of defense.

That’s where the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) comes in. Unlike SPF, which measures the time sunscreen protects your skin, UPF measures how much UV radiation penetrates fabric. A shirt rated UPF 50 allows only 1/50th of UV rays to pass through. Every day clothing might offer some incidental protection, but it is inconsistent and unreliable. UPF-rated garments provide a measurable, durable defense.

UPF Brands Leading the Charge

More and more activewear manufacturers are incorporating UPF protection and labeling to address the growing need for UPF-certified apparel. When updating your summer apparel assortment, consider UV-protective activewear brands that blend performance with protection.  Several standout brands have prioritized skin safety, performance, and style.