Serving Up Influence: How Pickleball Brands and Facilities Are Winning with Influencer Marketing
Pickleball is booming. With over 36 million players and a $2.2 billion gear market, brands and facilities can’t afford to ignore influencer marketing. As the sport continues to capture the hearts (and court time), influencer partnerships are quickly becoming the most powerful way to build awareness, generate trust, and grow a loyal audience.
Why Influencer Marketing Now?
Pickleball participation is up 158% in just three years
Social media is driving interest in new clubs, gear, and tournaments
Influencers offer trust, authenticity, and direct access to engaged communities
Influencer marketing isn’t just for national sports leagues or global brands. In the pickleball world, it’s an essential strategy for connecting with players where they already spend time, on social media. Whether you are launching a new facility or introducing a product, influencer marketing delivers targeted reach and social credibility faster than most paid media efforts.
Who Are the Influencers?
1. Pros as Brand Builders: Top players like Parris Todd (Franklin Sports) and Federico Staksrud (Adidas) are doing more than just competing - they’re shaping product lines, building brand equity, and driving sales through personal endorsements and social media content. These athletes bring instant credibility and often a loyal following that trusts their gear choices.
2. Content Creators: Instagram and TikTok creators are crafting the culture of pickleball with club walk-throughs, paddle reviews, tutorials, humor, and lifestyle posts. These influencers may not be pros, but their authentic voices and regular engagement drive a significant following. They’re especially effective at reaching younger or newer audiences.
3. Micro-Influencers: Local coaches, league organizers, and community leaders often have smaller but highly engaged audiences. Their recommendations carry weight because they’re grounded in real relationships and community trust. They’re perfect partners for facilities trying to build a loyal local customer base.
4. Celebrity Fans: When names like Alex Morgan or Katy Perry appear on the pickleball court, it creates viral moments beyond the traditional pickleball crowd. These kinds of mentions boost visibility, attract new players, and give the sport a cultural boost.
How Partnerships Work
Ambassadorships: Long-term relationships with influencers who appear in marketing, co-develop products, and maintain consistent messaging. These are ideal for pros or high-visibility creators.
Affiliate Links: Lower-commitment partnerships that use discount codes or referral links to drive trackable sales. Great for emerging brands looking to scale.
Content Campaigns: Whether it's a 30-second TikTok or a multi-part YouTube series, these collaborations generate buzz, educate audiences, and position brands or facilities as fun and approachable.
Giveaways & Collaborations: Co-branded promotions, like the Picklr & The Dink facility giveaway, combine influencer reach with brand storytelling to create viral buzz and long-term visibility. A well-timed giveaway can attract thousands of new followers, build email lists, and increase trial purchases, especially when paired with social sharing incentives.
Benefits for Facilities
Enhanced visibility and discoverability on search and social platforms
Increased foot traffic, bookings, and memberships
Enhanced reputation through third-party endorsements
A steady pipeline of content for newsletters, social media, and ads
Benefits for Product Brands
Higher conversion rates through trusted recommendations
A content library driven by real users in real play
Deeper brand loyalty through community integration
Valuable product feedback and market insight
Real Examples
Sydney Steinaker (@pickleballbarbie): Sydney has built a loyal following by mixing humor and everyday pickleball moments into short-form videos. She effectively promotes pickleball culture and products in a relatable way, reaching thousands of recreational players who see themselves in her content.
Evan Slaughter (@fit2serve1): A U.S. Army veteran turned content creator, Evan uses his energy and personality to create engaging videos that highlight the sport's community and fitness aspects. His collaborations with brands emphasize fun, inclusion, and approachability.
Tanner Tomassi (@tanner.pickleball): Known for his instructional content and consistent engagement, Tanner bridges the gap between coaching and content creation. His reels and tips make the sport accessible for beginners and reinforce brand credibility through consistent, high-value posts.
Franklin & Parris Todd: A model for athlete-driven branding, combining performance credibility with lifestyle influence.
Chicken N Pickle: Regularly partners with regional food, family, and lifestyle influencers to showcase their eat-play-repeat experience.
The Picklr & The Dink: A high-impact collaboration that combined brand visibility with a philanthropic giveaway to generate nationwide buzz.5 Tips for Launching a Campaign
5 Tips for Launching a Campaign
Choose influencers who align with your brand, your audience, and your values.
Build trust first. Offer value through product trials or exclusive experiences before pitching a deal.
Use a mix of formats and platforms to reach different segments of the audience.
Track performance through codes, UTM links, and engagement metrics.
Focus on long-term relationships that grow over time and create cumulative value.
Influencer marketing is no longer optional for pickleball brands and facilities, it’s a competitive advantage. As the sport continues to grow in every demographic, the businesses that align with authentic voices will lead the conversation and capture the market.
Want help building your influencer strategy? Rittenhouse Performance Marketing is ready to serve.