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OWL Sport, an Innovative New Sports Company Disrupting the Exploding Pickleball Industry, Addresses Pickleball Noise with Game-Changing Quiet Paddle

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First USA Pickleball Quiet Category-certified paddle is proven to reduce noise by 50%

CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in North America, has recently been the source of noise issues in sound-sensitive locations across the country given the distinct staccato ‘pop’ sound the ball makes on impact. Today, OWL Sport, a new-to-the-scene pickleball sports brand, unveiled the first USA Pickleball Quiet Category-compliant paddles that reduce noise while raising the bar on product performance for players of all levels.



“The OWL technology is going to save pickleball from its noisy pitfalls. The OWL has great feel and playability, and is easy on my arm. The intense, competitive passion I’ve always felt for tennis is now what so many people across the globe are feeling for pickleball, and I couldn’t be more proud to align with the OWL as they revolutionize the sport,” said Tracy Austin, three-time Grand Slam title winner.

USA Pickleball created the Quiet Category to reduce the sport’s sound output by recognizing pickleball products that help diminish acoustic output during play without negatively impacting performance. The OWL is the first paddle on the market that delivers a hertz level below 600 and a decibel level below 80, delivering a 50% reduction in total noise profile. For comparison, industry-standard pickleball paddles register 1,100 – 1,200 hertz and a near-harmful decibel range of 85+ when striking a ball.

“As USA Pickleball continues to invest in Quiet Category options for our sport and community, we could not be more pleased to work with the OWL Sport team on the launch of their paddle, which marks the very first certified Quiet Category paddle on the market,” said Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate this collaboration with OWL Sport as they launch a paddle that allows for both a reduced acoustic footprint and excellent performance in competition. This marks an exciting milestone in our continued efforts to provide acoustics-related solutions to sound-sensitive locations.”

The OWL paddles are now available for order at owlpaddle.com, and players (and bystanders) should expect to see more rules and regulations set in place by HOAs and parks mandating their use. The OWL paddles come in four SKUs to meet all players’ needs. Each paddle comes with:

  • Superior playability
  • 13mm and 16mm elongated handle options
  • Vibration dampening layers for arm and elbow comfort
  • Balanced ‘anti-head heavy’ construction for effortless maneuverability
  • Larger sweet spot for off-center impacts
  • Graphene/nano technologically-enhanced carbon honeycomb
  • Proprietary Acoustene™ sheath

Each paddle is enclosed in custom protective packaging and shipped directly to consumers free of charge (in the US and Canada). The first players to place an order will receive a limited edition paddle from the exclusive Founder’s Edition collection to celebrate this new line of groundbreaking paddle technology.

Pickleball experienced an estimated 40% growth between 2019 and 2021, and that trend has only continued. According to the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), 48.3M Americans over the age of 18 have played pickleball in the last 12 months, which represents more than 19% of the US adult population.

The creation of the OWL paddle, named after nature’s silent predator, was the result of several talented engineers with one single goal: create a pickleball paddle with a suite of capabilities that the larger racket sports industry deemed impossible.

“We want the sport of pickleball to be enjoyed by players, spectators and neighbors alike. Our goal is to provide the ultimate platform to allow people to play high performance pickleball when and where they want,” said Rick Schwenk, Chief Marketing Officer of OWL Sport. “OWL’s patent pending paddle technology is going to achieve just that, while simultaneously setting the new performance standard for paddles moving forward.”

For more information on OWL Sport or to order the OWL paddle, visit owlpaddle.com or follow along on FacebookInstagramTikTok and X.

ABOUT OWL SPORT
OWL Sport was created by a group of people who had a problem to solve: they wanted to play pickleball when they wanted, where they wanted and without having to worry about noise complaints. Much like nature has created the perfect predator of the skies, OWL’s unmatched team of engineers have perfected an elite version of the pickleball paddle that not only reduces sound output by 50%, but also provides players with a best-in-industry performance paddle for all skill levels. OWL paddles are currently the only pickleball paddles on the market that are USA Pickleball Quiet Category-compliant. OWL Sport plans to continue its advancement of the racket sports industry through a relentless and meticulous commitment to innovation and superior playability.

ABOUT USA PICKLEBALL
USA Pickleball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. Its mission is to promote the development and growth of the sport while sanctioning events and providing annual members with premier tournaments, educational opportunities, player rankings, official rules and other exclusive benefits. USA Pickleball is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that is governed and operated by a Board of Directors and a national office staff, who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued expansion of the sport.

OWL SPORT MEDIA CONTACT:
Taryn Parker
taryn.parker@spoolmarketing.com
847-380-0375

USA PICKLEBALL MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa Zhang
mzhang@usapickleball.org
508-768-5649

SOURCE OWL Sport

documentaries

‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ – Witness the Rise of a Global Phenomenon

Experience the triumphs and trials of pickleball’s rise in ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ – a captivating documentary featuring Mike Sleeves Sliwa.

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An illustration of people playing pickleball, a paddle sport, with the ball in mid-air.


At TNC Network, we have been working on two major projects starting in 2022. STM Daily News and Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report (Sleeve’s SPR), and it’s been one heck of a journey.

Both projects have been progressing nicely, but there is some exciting news on the Sleeve’s SPR side. In late ’22, Mike Sleeves Sliwa was approached by Ashley Underwood via email and asked if he would participate in her upcoming documentary. Mike, after a phone conversation with Ashley, said yes. A year and a half later, the project is about to hit the festival circuit.

Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story, the documentary, was filmed for a tumultuous span of two years, documenting the transformation of America’s fastest-growing sport, from retirement communities to the New York Stock Exchange. This cinematic piece provides an intimate glimpse into the pioneers who pioneered a fresh professional sport. Amidst the ensuing frenzied competition, a fierce rivalry arises to claim dominance in this novel sporting domain. As the ego and ambition of warring Texas billionaires collide, the pickleball pros find themselves entangled, witnessing the shattering of bonds and the betrayal of friends.

The story depicted in “Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story” is distinctly American, as it forces us to grapple with the best and worst of capitalism’s role in sports and in our collective pursuit of the American Dream. The film’s runtime is set at 88 minutes, directed by Ashley Underwood, Seth Porges, and Mary Pilon.

Mike Sleeves Sliwa has indeed reached a significant milestone with his involvement in the development of the Sleeve’s SPR channel and podcast. His dedication and commitment to pickleball are highlighted in his participation in the documentary. We congratulate Mike on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the release of Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story to witness his contributions and the captivating journey it portrays.

If you would like to know more about ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’, please visit the website: https://watch.eventive.org/sfdocfest2024/play/6620f254a0b34b0058b26d1b

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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Pickleball Kingdom: Conquering the World, One Court at a Time

Pickleball Kingdom sets its sights on global dominance, partnering with Franchise India Group to expand into the Middle East. #PickleballPower

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In 2024, the world of sports was on the cusp of witnessing a new era unfold. Pickleball, regarded as the fastest-growing sport in America, was set to take the global stage with Pickleball Kingdom at the helm. Breaking new ground, the premier indoor pickleball facility announced a groundbreaking partnership with Franchise India Group, paving the way for its expansion into the Middle East.

"Photo: A group of enthusiastic pickleball players in action at Pickleball Kingdom indoor facility."
Pickleball Kingdom in Arizona

The Global Ambition:
Ace Rodrigues, the Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about this international expansion. His longstanding vision of taking the sport to a worldwide audience was finally becoming a reality. With 140 locations already in queue across the United States, the deal with Franchise India Group would double that number almost overnight.

A Strategic Partnership:
Franchise India Group Chairman, Gaurav Marya, shared in the excitement about partnering with Pickleball Kingdom. Recognizing the sport’s immense popularity and exponential growth, he hailed Pickleball Kingdom as the leader of the movement. Together, they would spearhead the international expansion of pickleball, promising to revolutionize the sport as we know it.

Franchise Opportunities:
Franchise India Group wasted no time in accepting applications from interested parties seeking to become franchisees of Pickleball Kingdom. They sought experienced entrepreneurs who understood the value of being pioneers in this global movement. With key stakeholders established for each territory, Pickleball Kingdom’s expansion would be well-supported.

Explosive Growth:
Pickleball had experienced an impressive growth rate of over 224% in the past three years, resulting in an astounding 36.5 million players in the United States alone. However, the demand for courts had outpaced supply. This is where Pickleball Kingdom’s franchise model created a winning solution. Their climate-controlled indoor facilities not only provided courts but also offered lessons, leagues, tournaments, parties, team-building events, and refreshments.

Strategic Expansion Plans:
Rob Streett, COO of Pickleball Kingdom, highlighted the strategic importance of partnering with Franchise India Group. The collaboration marked only the initial phase of the brand’s expansion plan, focusing on establishing a strong presence in the Middle East. This strategic move would ensure that the sport’s popularity and impact would be maximized in this new region.

Ambitions and Dreams:
Filled with enthusiasm and ambition, Ace Rodrigues declared that the time had come for pickleball to conquer the international stage. The goal was to establish a presence in every country within five years. As he looked ahead, he eagerly anticipated a world where the words “Welcome to the Kingdom!” would be uttered in every language spoken around the globe.


The stage was set, and the world was about to witness the rise of pickleball to unprecedented heights. With Pickleball Kingdom leading the charge and supported by a strategic partnership with Franchise India Group, pickleball was poised to become the first global powerhouse in the sport. From a grassroots phenomenon to an international sensation, pickleball has truly become the sport of choice for millions worldwide. The journey ahead promised excitement, growth, and the universal language of friendly competition: pickleball.

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pickleball and sports exclusive

Pickleball Kingdom Coming to Canada

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ONTARIO, Canada, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom, the largest indoor pickleball franchise in the world continues its massive global expansion by coming to Canada. The United States based company confirmed its commitment to opening clubs in Canada, starting immediately with multiple clubs in Ontario.

Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, Ace Rodrigues, stated, “Canada gave us hockey and what a blessing that’s been. We’re excited to return the favor and export the fastest growing sport in the world, pickleball, to our neighbors in the north.”


Currently, Pickleball Kingdom has 140+ clubs built or being built out in the United States.  Additionally, early this week, the company announced its agreement with Franchise India Group to open clubs in Dubai, India, and Abu Dhabi, with the rest of the UAE to follow.

The Pickleball Kingdom experience extends beyond just courts. Members and visitors can participate in a variety of activities, including lessons, leagues, tournaments, and open play sessions. On-site refreshments fuel friendly competition, while a dedicated mobile app allows for easy court reservations and even captures video highlights for players to relive their favorite on-court moments.

COO of Pickleball Kingdom, Rob Streett, added, “Canada is such a beautiful country, but its weather is not ideal to play pickleball outdoors. We’re looking forward to offering Canadians a chance to learn and play the fastest growing sport in the world all year round.  Especially with their families.”

Pickleball Kingdom is now accepting inquiries from interested parties to get involved with the movement. They are seeking seasoned businesspeople who value the advantage that comes with being a first market mover. Those who desire to have a conversation with Pickleball Kingdom should submit their request through their website: www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise.

Pickleball has seen a growth rate of over 224% over the last three years, resulting in an estimated 36.5M pickleball players in the United States alone. And remarkably, 45% of them say they plan on playing more pickleball over the next year, according to YouGov.

David Haynie, CPO of Pickleball Kingdom, commented, “Universally, the biggest complaint against pickleball is that there aren’t enough courts to meet the demand to play. Once our clubs are built throughout Canada, we will not only meet the existing needs but create an introductory path into this great sport for people who don’t currently play.”  

CEO Ace Rodrigues concluded, “We’ve had people from Canada visit Pickleball Kingdom ever since we’ve opened. And we have more than a few ‘snowbirds’ as members who are Canadian residents. This overwhelming demand expedited the decision to open up the country. Soon there will be Pickleball Kingdoms all over Canada!”

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom

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