UPA Denies Appeal, Japan Trip Ends Pro Careers

What's the Score?

The conflict between the United Pickleball Association (UPA) and a group of banned professional players has reached a breaking point. Ryan Fu, James Ignatowich, and Vivian Glozman have had their collective appeal regarding their contract terminations officially denied. The UPA—parent company of the PPA Tour and MLP—fired the players in December 2025 for attending a pickleball event in Japan, citing a breach of exclusivity. The denial of the appeal cements their exile from the tour.

Hit it deeper!

The dispute hinges on the definition of a "competitor event." The players travelled to Japan for an event organised by the Pickleball Japan Federation. In their appeal, they argued that they did not compete in any organized league, promote a rival tour, or receive compensation. "Nothing in our contracts prohibited this activity," the group stated, claiming the trip was approved in advance. They view the termination as a draconian overreach.

Adding fuel to the fire is the allegation of a double standard. Parris Todd, a high-profile star who accompanied the group on the exact same trip, was not fired. Instead, she received a $50,000 fine and a two-event suspension. The UPA has not publicly clarified why Todd’s punishment differed so drastically from the total contract terminations handed to Fu, Ignatowich, and Glozman. The banned players had filed their appeal through the World Pickleball Players Association, but with that avenue now closed, their professional future remains in limbo.

The World Pickleball Verdict

The UPA is sending a chilling message to its roster: the organisation demands total control over player movement and branding. By denying the appeal, the UPA is asserting that its exclusivity clauses are ironclad and that it defines what constitutes a "rival event."

However, the disparity in punishment between Parris Todd and the others creates a perception of favouritism that could damage locker room morale. This standoff highlights the growing pains of a sport rapidly professionalising, where the power balance between labor (players) and management (UPA) is being tested in real-time.