Quang Duong Tops Record Mumbai Pickleball Auction for Season 2 League
Mumbai, India
What's the Score?
The Global Sports Pickleball Season 2 Pro and Challenger League auction in Mumbai made history as Asia's largest pickleball auction, with an investment of up to ₹6.6 crore in talent. Vietnam's Quang Duong emerged as the auction's most expensive player, secured by the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors for a staggering ₹27 lakh. Indian player Harsh Mehta also commanded a top bid of ₹21 lakh from Chennai Cool Cats. The auction, involving ten franchises, underscored pickleball's rapid professionalisation in India, blending international stars with local talent for an anticipated competitive season.
Hit it deeper!
Mumbai, India, hosted a groundbreaking event for the sport of pickleball with the Global Sports Pickleball Season 2 Pro and Challenger League auction on Monday, marking it as Asia’s largest pickleball auction to date. This historic event saw a colossal investment, with a total potential spend reaching ₹6.6 crore on both global and Indian talent.
The auction's biggest sensation was Vietnam’s Quang Duong, a 19-year-old talent who became the costliest player after being acquired by the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors for an impressive ₹27 lakh. Following closely in the Pro League bids were other international stars: American Megan Fudge, 38, was picked up by Ahmedabad Olympians for ₹25.50 lakh, Jack Munro (USA) went to Jaipur Stallions for ₹25 lakh, Bobbi Oshiro (USA) joined Delhi Snipers for ₹24.50 lakh, and Roos Van Reek (Netherlands) was secured by Hyderabad Vikings for ₹23.50 lakh. This robust bidding for international players highlights the league's ambition to draw world-class talent to India.
Among the Indian players, Harsh Mehta stood out, commanding the highest bid of ₹21 lakh from the Chennai Cool Cats. Other notable Indian acquisitions included Arjun Singh, signed by Nashik Ninjas for ₹8 lakh, and Aditya Ruhela, who went to Jaipur Stallions for ₹5 lakh. The auction successfully brought together a mix of burgeoning young talent, exemplified by Duong, and seasoned professionals like Fudge, showcasing the diverse appeal of the league.
The auction’s structure facilitated significant investment, with each of the ten participating franchises allocated a budget of ₹66 lakh – ₹55 lakh for the Pro League and ₹11 lakh for the Challenger League. The participating teams included the Ahmedabad Olympians, Bengaluru Blazers, Chennai Cool Cats, Coimbatore Super Smashers, Delhi Snipers, Hyderabad Vikings, Jaipur Stallions, Kolkata Kingz, Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, and Nashik Ninjas.
The overwhelming success and substantial financial outlay at this auction serve as a strong indicator of pickleball's rapid professionalisation and growing mainstream appeal in India. The integration of both global names and local stars, combined with record bids, has created an exciting foundation for Season 2, promising a more competitive and thrilling display of pickleball. This event not only broke financial records but also set a new standard for player valuation and league ambition in Asian pickleball, poised to significantly elevate the sport's profile in India and beyond.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Global Sports Pickleball auction in Mumbai marks a monumental leap for pickleball in Asia, transforming it from a burgeoning sport into a significant professional league. The record-breaking bids, especially for young international talents like Quang Duong and top Indian players like Harsh Mehta, demonstrate a substantial financial commitment and belief in the sport's commercial viability. This auction signifies pickleball's successful penetration into the Indian sports market, blending global stars with local talent to create a compelling narrative for Season 2. It's a clear statement that India is not just adopting pickleball but is investing heavily in its professional future, potentially setting a precedent for other developing pickleball markets worldwide and solidifying its place as a key player in the sport's global expansion.