What’s the Score?
Delray Beach, USA – The clock has struck midnight on the most significant contract in professional pickleball. As of December 31, 2025, world number one Anna Leigh Waters is officially out of contract with her longtime sponsor, Paddletek. Her likeness has been scrubbed from the company’s website, confirming that the sport’s winningest player is now a free agent. With the PPA Masters looming on January 12, a bidding war of historic proportions is underway.
Hit it deeper!
For years, Waters and Paddletek have been inextricably linked, but the expiration of this multi-year deal opens the door for a market reset. Industry insiders are certain of one thing: the new deal will be massive. Estimates suggest the contract will command “six zeros per year” and extend for three years or more, easily becoming the most lucrative sponsorship in the sport’s history.
Who are the suitors? The usual heavyweights—JOOLA, Selkirk, and Franklin—are obvious contenders. However, the rumour mill, fueled by speculation from figures like Zane Navratil, suggests wildcards could be in play. Brands like Wilson, Adidas, or Vulcan could view signing Waters as the ultimate entry strategy to dominate the market immediately. Even more tantalising are unsubstantiated whispers of a potential apparel deal with Nike, which would mark a colossal entry for the athletic giant into the pickleball space.
The timing is tight. With the season opener less than two weeks away, Waters will need to finalize a deal and acclimate to new equipment—or renew with Paddletek—very quickly. The “Magic 8 ball” at The Dink suggests a new deal is likely, but the ink isn’t dry yet.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Anna Leigh Waters is the “Michael Jordan” of modern pickleball. Her next contract isn’t just about her paycheck; it sets the valuation benchmark for the entire sport. If she signs a multi-million dollar deal with a non-endemic brand like Nike or Adidas, it signals that pickleball has fully graduated from a niche hobby to a mainstream professional sport.
Conversely, if she moves to a direct competitor like JOOLA or Selkirk, it could be a fatal blow to Paddletek’s market share. Paddletek has built its identity around her; losing her would require a total brand reinvention. The next two weeks will define the business landscape of pickleball for the next half-decade. All eyes are on Delray Beach.
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.