What’s the Score?
In a move that highlights the intensifying equipment wars within professional pickleball, American star Jack Munro has officially parted ways with his previous sponsor to join OWL Sport. The announcement, made via social media on January 29, sees the World No. 31 men’s doubles player aligning with a brand best known for its “Quiet the Competition” philosophy and noise-reduction technology. Munro, fresh off a stint with the Capital Warriors Gurgaon in the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), cites the brand’s strategic vision and technical innovation as the primary drivers for his decision.
Hit it deeper!
The landscape of professional pickleball sponsorships has been volatile in the opening months of 2026, characterised by high-profile athlete movements. Munro’s switch is part of a broader trend of “athlete-brand realignments” that has recently seen top-tier players like World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and Asian sensation Quang Duong debut new partnerships. For Munro, however, the move to OWL Sport appears to be driven by extensive R&D testing rather than mere financial incentives.
In his public statement, Munro revealed a meticulous selection process. “I trained with and tested virtually every high-performance paddle on the market,” Munro stated on Instagram, noting that OWL Sport distinguished itself through its “strategic and intentional” approach to product development. This suggests that for players in the top echelons of the rankings, the technical specifications of the paddle—specifically touch, power, and perhaps most interestingly, acoustics—are becoming pivotal in contract negotiations.
OWL Sport has carved a unique niche in the market by focusing on noise reduction, a critical issue as pickleball faces noise complaints in residential areas globally. By signing a player of Munro’s calibre—who recently secured a title at the Vietnam Masters and demonstrated leadership for the Capital Warriors Gurgaon—the brand is signaling that its “low-noise” technology is capable of performing at the highest professional level. Munro emphasised that he views this not merely as a sponsorship, but as a “true partnership” aimed at innovating products that help players perform at their peak while growing the game globally.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Jack Munro’s move to OWL Sport is more than just a jersey change; it is a validation of the “quiet pickleball” movement. For years, noise-dampening paddles were viewed by some purists as recreational novelties. By securing a top-35 world-ranked player and recent IPBL star, OWL Sport has effectively bridged the gap between community-friendly compliance and elite performance. If Munro continues his upward trajectory in 2026 using this technology, we may see a significant shift where “quiet” paddles become a standard for performance, solving one of the sport’s biggest existential threats—noise pollution—without sacrificing power or spin.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.