From Overpaid Pros Whining to a Sick Collab Between Reebok x Recess

Pickleball Kingdom at it again, expands into Yakima, WA 🏞️

TL;DR:

Pickleball Kingdom's hitting Yakima, WA with a new facility run by Shane Martin and Mei-Lynne Statler. They're going all out to boost the sport and get the community involved. 🏓🌟

• Pickleball Kingdom's new Yakima spot's gonna be managed by Shane Martin and Mei-Lynne Statler.

• They're decking it out with killer courts, chill lounges, and training programs for everyone from newbies to pros.

• It's all part of Pickleball Kingdom's master plan to spread the pickleball love nationwide.

• This Yakima expansion shows they're serious about growing pickleball across the country and getting more people hooked.

Why this matters:

Pickleball Kingdom setting up shop in Yakima is a big deal. It's a smart move to cash in on pickleball's growing popularity, especially in Washington. By bringing in top-notch facilities and building a strong community, they're not just promoting the sport - they're showing how pickleball's becoming mainstream in the U.S. It's exciting stuff for pickleball fans and could be a game-changer for the sport in that area.

Pickleball showdown with top players benefits addiction recovery 🏓

TL;DR:

Sun Valley's hosting a killer pickleball event with big senior pros like Paul Olin and Mattias Johansson. They're mixing it up with clinics, matches, and fundraising for Men's Second Chance Living. It's gonna be huge for pickleball and the community. 🏓🌟

• The Legends Celebrity Invitational in Sun Valley, Idaho is bringing in some serious talent this weekend, including Mats Wilander, John McEnroe, Mikael Pernfors and Vince Van Patten.

• We're also talking high-profile senior pros like Paul Olin and Mattias Johansson showing up to play.

• They're not just playing - there's clinics, exhibition matches, and fundraising events to get everyone involved.

• This event's gonna put Sun Valley on the map, help out Men's Second Chance Living, and bring the community together.

Why this matters:

This Sun Valley event is a big deal. It's not just about watching all-time tennis greats duke it out - it's about using pickleball to make a difference. By bringing together elite players, community events, and a good cause, they're showing how powerful sports can be. It's gonna boost pickleball's profile and prove that sports can do some real good in the world. That's the kind of stuff that gets me fired up about pickleball.

St. Louis Shock elevates pickleball with Busch Stadium appearance. 🏟️

TL;DR: 

St. Louis Shock, a Major League Pickleball team, is making waves at Busch Stadium. They kicked things off with Anna Bright's first pitch and are getting locals pumped with Pickleball Nights. The Shock are building a strong pickleball presence in the city. 🏓🌟

• St. Louis Shock's showing off at Busch Stadium, proving they're serious about growing the local community.

• The team's trying to build a legacy like the big leagues, aiming to be a major player in pickleball in MLP, but also the city.

• By getting fans involved and hosting these cool events, St. Louis Shock's setting themselves up for long-term success.

Why this matters:

The St. Louis Shock's moves are pretty smart. Getting involved with the community and hosting events at a place like Busch Stadium? That's how you build a fanbase. It's not easy breaking pickleball into the pro sports world, but they're doing it right. With more community engagement, they could really put St. Louis on the map for pickleball. It's exciting to see teams like this pushing the sport forward.

Reebok x Recess collaboration innovates pickleball gear 🏓

TL;DR:

Reebok and Recess are teaming up to drop a sick new pickleball collection. We're talking DOPE shoes and paddles that blend style with function, inspired by classic court designs. It's hitting stores worldwide on August 7. 🏓🌟

• Reebok and Recess are partnering up for a new pickleball collection - shoes and paddles included.

• They're mixing style and function, catering to the sport's growing popularity.

• The gear's inspired by classic court designs but with some cool co-branded elements.

• It's launching globally on August 7, with both performance court shoes and lifestyle options.

Why this matters:

This Reebok x Recess collab is a big deal for pickleball. It shows that major brands are taking the sport seriously. By combining Reebok's athletic expertise with Recess's pickleball passion, they're creating gear that looks good and performs well. This kind of collaboration could attract more people to the sport and make current players feel like they're part of something bigger. It's a sign that pickleball's moving into the mainstream sports world.

Collin Johns critiques Major League Pickleball 🏓

TL;DR:

Pickleball pro Collin Johns is calling out Major League Pickleball (MLP) on a host of issues in a leaked letter. He's not happy with the drafting process, the scoring format, the venues and more. 🏓🌟

• Johns is criticizing MLP for unfair scoring systems and encouraging unprofessional behavior by players.

• Johns points out problems with weaker players on teams (he’s one of them…) messing up the balance

• He's also got issues with venue choices, ball quality, and how they test paddles in MLP.

Why this matters:

Collin Johns speaking up isn’t unusual. He's a respected player and he’s not dumb, so when he calls out issues he has with Major League Pickleball, people will notice. His critiques were aplenty, but I would have liked to see him provide some solutions.

Read his leaked letter, here.

Seattle's Pickle at the Palms: New pickleball facility 🏓🏗️

TL;DR:

Seattle's Interbay area is getting a sweet new pickleball spot called Pickle at the Palms. We're talking rooftop courts, parking, the works. They're having a public design review meeting on September 4th before construction kicks off. 🏓🌟

• Pickle at the Palms is gonna be a 3-story pickleball paradise in Interbay, Seattle.

• They're planning rooftop courts and parking for 53 cars.

• The project's being led by Pickle at the Palms LLC, with AXIS | GFA Architecture + Design doing the design work.

• They're keeping it transparent with a community design review meeting on September 4th.

Why this matters:

Pickle at the Palms is a big win for Seattle's pickleball scene. This isn't just another place to play - it's a statement. Rooftop courts? That's next-level stuff. It shows that pickleball's not just growing, it's evolving. The fact that they're involving the community in the design process is smart too. It builds local support and ensures the facility meets players' needs. This could become a real destination for pickleball enthusiasts, potentially boosting the sport's profile in the entire Pacific Northwest.

If you want to read deep into the progress of building something like this, here’s 63 pages worth.