Quang Duong Signs with Sypik Amid Sponsorship Value Debate
What's the Score?
Vietnamese pickleball star Quang Duong has signed a new sponsorship deal with Sypik, a brand based in Vietnam, following his departure from Selkirk Sport. However, the financial terms of this agreement have been publicly criticised by Duong's father and coach, Duc, who stated the deal is "too small" given the potential market value of pickleball in Asia compared to the United States.
Hit it deeper!
Professional pickleball player Quang Duong, a notable talent from Vietnam, has finalised a new sponsorship agreement. Duong, who previously had a sponsorship with Selkirk Sport but experienced a "testy relationship" and eventual split with the brand, has now signed with Sypik, a pickleball brand rooted in Vietnam.
While the signing itself is a positive step for Duong in securing support for his career, the terms of the deal have become a point of public discussion, primarily due to comments from his father and coach, Duc. In an interview with The Dink Pickleball, Duc openly described the agreement as "too small". He elaborated that it was a "half-million-dollar deal", which he evidently considered insufficient compensation for his son.
Duc's perspective on the deal's value is grounded in his assessment of the market for pickleball in Asia. He explicitly stated that the value of the market in Asia is "10 times bigger than that (the US)". Based on this belief, he argued that his son, Quang, should be compensated accordingly to reflect the significant and growing pickleball landscape in Asia.
The source notes that despite receiving offers from other sponsors, Quang ultimately decided to sign with Sypik. This decision, according to his father, was made to align with Duong's long-term vision of promoting pickleball in Asia and specifically to give back to Vietnam, his home country. Duong is currently ranked seventh on the PPA Tour, indicating his status as a high-level competitor.
The situation highlights a potential disparity in how player value is perceived, particularly in different geographic markets amidst the sport's rapid global expansion. Duong's commitment to a Vietnam-based brand, even if perceived as financially less significant by his father, underscores a dedication to growing the sport in his home region.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The public comments from Quang Duong's father regarding his son's sponsorship deal with Sypik underscore the complex and evolving economics of professional pickleball, particularly as the sport expands globally. Duc's assertion that a "$500,000 deal" is "too small" is striking and reflects a belief in the immense, perhaps untapped, market value of pickleball players, especially in rapidly growing regions like Asia, which he claims is ten times larger than the US market. This situation creates a fascinating dynamic: a talented player prioritising promoting the sport locally, while his coach/father advocates for compensation that he feels reflects the player's market value on a global or at least pan-Asian scale. The contrast between Duong's reported motivations and his father's financial concerns highlights the challenges players and their teams face in navigating sponsorship deals in a sport where market values are still being defined, especially across different continents. This "showdown" of perspectives reveals the business side of pickleball is catching up to its rapid growth, bringing with it debates about fair compensation and market potential.