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Pickleball will soon be coming to a television near you.
On Monday, The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) announced that the sports — which has seen an incredible uptick in popularity — has secured a TV rights deal with CBS Sports and ESPN.
With the deal, live action and highlight packages will air on CBS Sports Network, recap coverage will air on ESPN2, and ESPN+ will live stream more than 200 hours of pickleball madness.
“The APP exists to expand the sport of pickleball domestically and internationally, and this media exposure is an important step in that mission,” Tom Webb, the APP’s chief marketing officer, said in a press release.
NEWS: The Association of Pickleball Professionals has secured TV deals with its new broadcast partners:
CBS and ESPN.
Coverage of all 16 APP Tour will begin this year. pic.twitter.com/e9cRA2QLQQ
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 23, 2023
Financial details of the television rights deal were not immediately released.
The pickleball tour has 16 events scheduled for 2023.
While APP has its deal with CBS and ESPN, it will be interesting to see how it will impact the Tennis Channel’s deal with Major League Pickleball which has a number of celebrity owners.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports and the increased coverage and visibility should only add to its rapid rise. Get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be fun. Just look at some of the highlights below.
