Anna Leigh Waters is one of the best pickleball players in the world, sitting atop many rankings despite being a teenager. Because of her prodigious pickleball skill, she has been awarded a contract that towers over even some of the best players in the WNBA, Clark and Reese aside.
For context, Clark, the Indiana Fever star, made $76,535 this year, the first of her four-year, $338,056 rookie deal as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. With the Chicago Sky, Reese made $73,439 in 2024 as the No. 7 pick.
What is Pickleball?
However, Waters’ 2024 contract is set to blow both stars’ 2024 WNBA contract out of the water, if the 17-year-old’s agent is to be believed. Speaking with Forbes in September, Kelly Wolf explained how the pickleball star is the highest-paid pickleball player, regardless of gender.
Pickleball’s Journey to the Olympics.
Pickleball’s journey to the Olympic stage has been nothing short of remarkable. From its humble beginnings in the mid-1960s as a backyard game invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in Washington State, pickleball has grown into a competitive sport played by millions worldwide.
Over the years, pickleball has steadily gained recognition from sports governing bodies. In 2010, the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was founded to help govern the sport on an international level. As the IFP grew its global reach, the idea of including pickleball in the Olympics began to gain momentum.
The process for a sport to become part of the Olympic Games is long and rigorous. It begins with the sport applying for recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), followed by a series of votes by Olympic governing bodies, including the National Olympics Executive Council. The vote process is broken down into three stages:
1. **Stage One
– Preliminary Consideration**: The first stage involves the initial assessment of the sport’s popularity, organizational structure, and global reach. Pickleball passed this stage with strong backing from the IFP and its rapidly expanding worldwide presence.
2. **Stage Two
– Official Evaluatio**: In the second stage, the sport’s potential to contribute to the Olympic movement is evaluated. This includes considerations like the sport’s diversity, inclusivity, gender equality, and commercial appeal. Pickleball’s increasing participation in international tournaments, its accessibility, and its appeal across multiple demographics were key factors in its successful progression through this stage.
3. **Stage Thre
– Final Vote**: The third and final stage is the ultimate hurdle: a vote by the National Olympics Executive Council. In this phase, the council will assess whether the sport meets all criteria for inclusion in the Olympics. Given the support for pickleball in the previous two stages, sources within the council suggest that the sport is highly likely to secure approval. The vote will take place within the coming weeks.
Why is Pickleball Gaining Traction?
There are several reasons why pickleball has surged in popularity and is now on the verge of Olympic inclusion:
1. **Accessibility**:
Pickleball is a sport that can be easily learned by people of all ages and skill levels.
2. **Explosive Growth**
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America, with participation increasing by over 30% in recent years.
3. **Global Reach**
: The International Olympic Committee has been exploring ways to include more “modern” and audience-friendly sports to appeal to younger viewers. Pickleball, with its fast pace, social appeal, and unique combination of skill elements, fits perfectly within the IOC’s vision for future Olympics.
What Does This Mean for the Olympics?
