Funding of $15 million secured by United Pickleball for growth and player rewards initiatives
The United Pickleball Association (UPA) has announced a significant development in its growth trajectory, with a recent $15 million funding round led by key investors. Dundon Capital, the family office of Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, Al Tylis, owner of Club Necaxa of LigaMX, and SC Holdings, led by Jason Stein, are the main investors in this round. This new investment adds to a previous $75 million preferred investment round, bringing the total investments to approximately $100 million, including a $10 million bridge loan earlier in 2025[1].
Jenius Bank, while not an investor, has shown corporate support for the UPA through sponsorship of the 2025 Pickleball World Championships and other associated pickleball tours[2][3]. No other specific individual or institutional investors have been publicly named in the most recent funding rounds or disclosed reports.
The UPA's combined revenue has seen a 40% year-over-year increase, a trend that is mirrored in the growing interest in pickleball, as indicated by the surge in social media impressions and record-breaking event viewings[4][5]. The organisation plans to keep base salaries for players, allowing them to invest in themselves and pursue pickleball as a full-time career.
The funding will be used to improve the broadcast experience in partnership with Tennis Channel Fox, CBS, and ESPN, to expand internationally, particularly in the U.K. and Asia, and to offer more incentive-based compensation that rewards winning tournaments[6]. The UPA also aims to expand junior player opportunities, similar to Junior USTA or Little League.
In a statement, UPA's current shareholders expressed their confidence in the organisation's direction, referring to their decision to invest more in the company as "doubling down"[7]. The moves by UPA are aimed at building on the business momentum seen since its formation last year.
Ticketing sales have also seen a 40% increase year over year, and records on PickleballTV and YouTube for individual event viewings have been broken[8]. The UPA's revenue now stands at $70 million. Interestingly, the latest funding round did not involve any external investors, but was solely from existing investors and shareholders of UPA[9].
With these developments, the UPA is poised to continue its growth and solidify its position in the world of pickleball. The organisation's focus on improving the player experience, enhancing the broadcast experience, and expanding internationally bodes well for the future of pickleball.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6] [7] [Source 7] [8] [Source 8] [9] [Source 9]
- The influx of finance from key investors like Dundon Capital, Al Tylis, SC Holdings, and previous preferred investment rounds, has enabled the UPA to increase people's interest in pickleball, resulting in a 40% year-over-year revenue growth.
- With the funding, the UPA plans to invite more people to pursue pickleball as a full-time career by maintaining base salaries for players and providing more incentives for winning tournaments, thereby fostering talent in the sports.
