7 Top Highlights from Major League Pickleball Atlanta
Happy Friday! What an amazing four days of professional pickleball at the first event of Season 2 for Major League Pickleball in Atlanta.
I genuinely anticipate this newsletter, which I began nearly a year ago, as it provides a platform for me to share insights and initiate discussions within my professional network about creative ways for brands to engage with pickleball.
I'm thrilled to welcome many new subscribers this week, so I decided to send you all a video message, taking advantage of some extra time I had due to the recent rain in Florida putting a damper on my usual daily Pickleball in the Sun plans.
Congrats and thank you to the MLP team for putting on a fantastic event and below are my top highlights from the experience.
My Top 7 Highlights from Major League Pickleball Atlanta
4 Days of Entertaining Professional Pickleball
There's truly nothing quite like it. Major League Pickleball (MLP) has captured the hearts of pros, fans, and viewers at home alike. This unique format brings together the world's top professional pickleball players to compete as a team. With rally scoring and the spirit of camaraderie, it's the perfect chance for you to dive into the exciting world of professional pickleball if you haven't already!
Watch all Matches from Major League Pickleball Atlanta on their YouTube channel.
Behind the Scenes with The Holderness Family
When I arrived at Life Time last Thursday, I had the pleasure of running into Kim and Penn Holderness, who were in the midst of filming content for Toyota Prius. Over the past two years, they've successfully piqued the interest of their dedicated fanbase in pickleball through their hilarious parody videos and catchy original songs. What's more, they've even ventured into the world of pickleball equipment, now sporting their very own custom Selkirk Pickleball paddle.
Use code "PBintheSun" to receive gift card rewards from Selkirk.
Hyping up OS1st Pickleball Socks
I might be a bit biased, but in my book, OS1st takes the crown for the best pickleball socks around! My connection with the OS1st team goes back more than three years, and it's been truly remarkable to witness their brand's continual growth and their unwavering support for top professional athletes in the sport. During the event, I had the fantastic opportunity to amp up the excitement for the Official Sock of Major League Pickleball, and I had an absolute blast with The Hype Guys joining in on the fun. Don't forget to give OS1st a follow on Instagram!
Allison Harris Playing Lights Out!
Over the past four years, one of the highlights of my job has been sharing the fun and distinctive stories within the sport. This past weekend in Atlanta, the emergence of professional pickleball player Allison Harris was undeniably one of those captivating stories! Stepping in as an alternate for The Miami Pickleball Club, she delivered an exceptional performance and played with sheer brilliance, playing a pivotal role in guiding her team to the semi-finals. It's now thrilling to anticipate how the shuffle draft on October 6th will unfold, and I'm eagerly hoping to witness Allison officially become a part of an MLP team!
Toyota Prius Activation
With an increasing number of brands entering the sport, we've witnessed a growing display of on-site event activations by these companies. One standout example from Major League Pickleball Atlanta was the immersive experience created by Toyota Prius and Family Industries. Fans had the chance to step inside a Toyota Prius and craft their very own personalized MLP fanny pack with custom embroidery right on the spot. Additionally, they added a splash of color to the event with a vibrant Polaroid Photo Booth, encouraging fans to capture and share their excitement about the event.
Meeting Major League Pickleball Australia
Recently, Major League Pickleball announced an expansion into Australia with their first international partnership. I got the opportunity to meet Adam Thompson and Sange Carter with Pacific Pickleball and hear about their upcoming events with Major League Pickleball Australia. They are doing incredible things in the sport to grow the Australia market and get more people playing pickleball professionally.
Two of the nicest people you'll ever meet and I look forward to experiencing some Pickleball in the Sun down under soon!
Reuniting with the Pickleball Community
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have discovered pickleball four years ago. It's been an amazing journey, working alongside so many incredible individuals to help spread the love of America's fastest-growing sport! My network of pickleball enthusiasts and professionals continues to expand, and I cherish events like MLP, where I can reconnect with old friends and forge new connections along the way.
Until next time, Major League Pickleball!
