Hello, readers! Welcome to PickleWho, not only your #1 pickleball news blog, but also a companion in moments of solitude. A real friend…who will be unavailable until Friday evening.

You can go and party without me, though. It’s Friday!

Here’s the news:

• College and youth pickleball is closer than ever

• ESPN and PPA Tour sign a new deal

• Jack Sock makes his North Carolina debut

College and youth pickleball are right around the corner

A few days ago, we were wondering why there hasn't been a true effort to organize pickleball at the university and youth levels. Not having an NCAA-level league felt like my gym subscription: a complete waste of time.

However, It seems as if somebody read us, because the MLP and the DUPR announced the launch of collegiate and junior pickleball verticals. This means that both organizations will actively seek ways to incorporate youth athletes into the sport with the MLP structure.

Allow me to translate: sooner rather than later, we’ll have an NCAA-level tournament for pickleball and a draft system. And they’re all gonna be equally underpaid!

ESPN and PPA tour sign broadcasting deal

Dads’ favorite substitute for therapy /yes, ESPN), signed a fresh deal with the PPA Tour to broadcast 10 pickleball tournaments. The full list is available here.

Though we don’t know the details of the arrangement –as per usual–, we did hire a private investigator this time around. Hopefully he’ll get the details by Monday. What we do know is that with this new wave of broadcasting deals, you can bet that pickleball organizations are not suffering much from the recession.

Now, I’d sign a deal with TNT and force Charles Barkley to cover pickleball tournaments for the rest of 2023.

Jack Sock debuts in pickleball.

Not gonna lie. Hearing that Jack Sock turned into a pickleball pro set my expectations higher than Snoop Dogg at a Lil Wayne concert. If you didn’t get that one, ask your niece, pal.

Jack made his official debut at the North Carolina Open and I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed. The former tennis player started ok, beating Anton Gudz 11-8, 11-4. Then, he beat Naveen Beasley 11-2, 11,2. And just when everyone thought we had the next Ben Johns… Jake Kusmider entered full beast mode and defeated Sock 9-11, 11-5, 10-7.

Hecan still prove his worth in the mixed and doubles division, but hey Sock, if you’re reading this, know that I talk about “pickleball worth”. As a person, you is smart, you is kind, you is important.

God, The Help always makes me cry.

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