Pickleball Weekly Bulletin: Top Stories from December 10-17, 2025

1. UPA Terminates Contracts of Three Pro Players for Japan Event Violations

Announced: December 10-11, 2025

The United Pickleball Association made headlines this week by terminating the contracts of three high-profile professional pickleball players: James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman. The terminations were effective immediately following the players' participation in unsanctioned events sponsored by the Pickleball Japan Federation in Tokyo's Ariake Tennis Park in early December 2025.

The Violation: All three players participated in clinics, exhibitions, and a 1,000+ player tournament organized by the Pickleball Japan Federation without proper UPA authorization. The advertising prominently featured their statuses as top MLP and PPA Tour players and champions, explicitly using their reputation and likenesses to promote a competing event.

UPA's Stance: PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe stated: "The advertising for these events prominently featured their statuses as top MLP and PPA players and champions, explicitly using the reputation and likeness we pay for to promote a direct competitor. This is a clear breach of their contracts."

Implications:

• Ignatowich and Glozman will leave the Chicago Slice without coverage for the 2026 MLP season

• Ryan Fu will open a roster spot for the SoCal Hard Eights

• James Ignatowich will continue as CEO of paddle company RPM (co-founded in 2025)

• The terminations effectively end the playing careers of Ignatowich and Fu on the PPA Tour

  
  

Note on Parris Todd: A fourth player, Parris Todd, also participated but received approval through a limited written waiver, though the actual scope exceeded what was approved. The UPA is still reviewing her case, with potential penalties ranging from a fine to a suspension or termination.

This represents the second major contract termination in 2025, underscoring the UPA's strict enforcement of exclusivity agreements that protect their $30 million annual investment in professional players.

2. Pickleball Kingdom Acquires The Pickle Jar in New Jersey

Announced: December 16, 2025

Pickleball Kingdom, the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, announced its acquisition of The Pickle Jar, an eight-court facility located at 315 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey. The club will be transformed into Pickleball Kingdom Hillsborough.

Strategic Expansion: This acquisition continues Pickleball Kingdom's aggressive New Jersey expansion strategy, joining existing facilities in Hamilton, Tinton Falls, and Watchung. With nearly 400 locations already awarded for future development globally, this marks another step in the company's growth trajectory.

Facility Upgrades: The Pickle Jar will undergo comprehensive premium upgrades aligned with Pickleball Kingdom's national standards, including:

• Professionally resurfaced courts

• Upgraded fencing and refined court colors

• Enhanced amenities

• Court reservations and drop-in play

• Leagues, tournaments, clinics, and private coaching

• Youth programming and community events

• PodPlay technology for instant replay, skill development, and match highlights

  
  

Leadership: The transformation is led by franchisees Yashraj Kurani (20+ years in IT sales leadership, 4.0 PPA rating) and Dip Jadawala (20+ years in data and analytics), with support from Area Rep Sam Sood.

Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO, stated: "This acquisition reflects our commitment to elevating the sport by transforming strong local clubs into world-class indoor destinations."

3. Global Pickleball Alliance Officially Launches with Historic Melbourne Tournament

Announced: December 1, 2025 | Tournament: December 4-7, 2025

In a landmark announcement released on December 1, the Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA) was officially unveiled as a unified global coalition designed to align professional pickleball organizations, harmonize competitive structures, and build the sport's first truly connected world calendar.

GPA Members: The alliance includes the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), European Pickleball Federation (EPF), India's Global Sports, Australia's National Pickleball League (NPL), Pickleball England, and Vietnam's Pickleball D-Joy.

Historic First Event: The 2025 Sypik Australia NPL Invitational (December 4-7, 2025) at the iconic Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne became the first event to officially operate under the GPA banner and the newly launched provisional Global Pickleball Rankings framework. This marked the first time professional pickleball has been hosted at Kooyong, long regarded as one of the world's most iconic racket-sport venues.

Global Rankings Launch: The GPA introduced a new unified global rankings system, marking a watershed moment for international pickleball standardization.

APP's Commitment: Ken Herrmann, Founder of the Association of Pickleball Players, stated: "This is a monumental day in pickleball history. The APP is immensely proud to partner with these incredible organizations and lay the pathway for players across the globe to realize their professional dreams."

Strategic Vision: Pickleball England's Karen Mitchell added: "Collaboration is key to growing pickleball globally. This alliance ensures players can plan their season with confidence, knowing the major events complement each other rather than compete."

4. UPA Enforcement Continues: Quang Duong Contract Also Terminated

Announcement Date: December 9, 2025

In a related enforcement action announced earlier this week, the UPA also terminated the contract of Quang Duong following contractual violations, highlighting the organization's commitment to maintaining professionalism standards across its player roster.

5. Pro Pickleball Enters Critical Phase for Olympic Consideration

December 2025 Developments

As 2025 winds down, the professional pickleball landscape is entering a critical phase regarding potential Olympic inclusion. The Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) has been working on establishing the sport's credentials for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Key Initiatives:

• GPF partnership with the ITA to develop a global anti-doping program (December 5, 2025)

• Movement toward unified global governance structures

• Coordination with international sports bodies

  
  

Industry observers have noted that 2026 could be a pivotal year for determining pickleball's Olympic trajectory, making the new Global Pickleball Alliance timing particularly significant.

6. International Pickleball Expansion Accelerates with Global Tournament Calendar

Throughout December 2025

The launch of the Global Pickleball Alliance's unified world schedule marks a major shift toward coordinated international tournament play. Key upcoming events in the global calendar include:

• January (End of Month): Australian Open

• February 3-8: Indian Open (Global Sports)

• February 18-22: APP Daytona Beach Open

• March 9-15: Global Sports Pickleball Event (India/Dubai)

• December 11-20, 2025: Indian Grand Slam (Global Sports) — currently ongoing

  
  

This coordinated approach allows players to plan their international seasons with confidence, eliminating competing events that previously fragmented the professional landscape.

7. New Zealand Grassroots Initiative: Pickleball "Give It a Go" Program Launches

December 16, 2025

In related grassroots expansion news, pickleball continues its global reach with the launch of the Pickleball Give It a Go program at Western Park Tennis Courts in Auckland, New Zealand. The free sessions conducted by Addison Pickleball target beginners and casual players, providing equipment and instruction to introduce the sport to new communities.

This initiative demonstrates pickleball's transition from niche sport to mainstream community activity across all geographic markets.

8. UPA Reaffirms Commitment to Building Professional Integrity

December 2025 Statement

In response to the recent contract terminations, the UPA issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to professional standards: "UPA and its leading properties, the PPA Tour and MLP, have put significant resources into building goodwill, branding and name recognition, which, when leveraged by competing organizations, contradicts our efforts to build and grow pro pickleball's business. The UPA remains fully committed to our players who honor their commitments and to building the brightest future possible for professional pickleball."

The organization also reserved the right to pursue legal action for further violations, including participation in non-PPA events during what would have been the remainder of affected players' contracts.

Summary: Week of December 10-17, 2025

This week represented a turning point for professional pickleball governance and international expansion. The UPA's contract terminations underscored the organization's commitment to enforcing professional standards and protecting its investment in player development. Simultaneously, the Global Pickleball Alliance launch marked a historic moment in international coordination, establishing the first truly unified global tournament calendar and rankings system.

On the business front, Pickleball Kingdom's continued New Jersey expansion and facility acquisitions demonstrate the ongoing capital investment flowing into the sport's infrastructure. Combined with grassroots initiatives like New Zealand's Give It a Go program and critical Olympic governance work, professional pickleball continues to mature into a truly global sport with institutional structures rivaling traditional professional leagues.

Key Takeaway: Pickleball is transitioning from an unregulated growth phase into a standardized, globally coordinated sport with clear professional standards, unified international governance, and serious Olympic ambitions.