My Baby Gator is now a Gator grad!!! Congrats Maclyn — we are so proud of the young woman you have become. Your hard work, resilience, and spirit have brought you to this moment, and you have earned every bit of it. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey ahead. The best is yet to come, starting with your next chapter in NYC - where it all began for you 22 years ago - and we will be cheering you on every step of the way. We love you so much. Go Gators! 🐊🎓
There have been dramatic highs and lows in the evolution of professional pickleball over the past 5 or so years, but today is one that EVERYONE involved in the sport should be remarkably proud of. Whether you’re Pickleball Inc CEO @connor_pardoe , MLP Commissioner @sodhwani , MLP’s newest team @pbroyals , one of our professional players, sponsors, or simply a fan of the sport, you have contributed to this remarkable achievement. Yes, pickleball continues to be the fastest growing participation sport in the country, but many have been cynical on its potential as a spectator sport. With today’s $225 million investment in Pickleball Inc (parent of PPA Tour & Major League Pickleball), the financial world has staked its claim in the future of this incredible sport.
If you still haven’t caught the wave, here are a couple of great opportunities to do so:
- Saturday, 12:30 on CBS - PPA’s Atlanta Slam semifinals
- Tuesday on Prime Video or PickleballTV - premiere of the new docuseries Partners
Beth and I had the privilege to be at Carnegie Hall last night to watch a tribute concert for our favorite musician - Billy Joel (who was there with Pink) - performed by several of our OTHER favorite musicians (Andrew McMahon, Gavin Degraw, Rob Thomas, Matt Nathanson, etc). Incredibly special evening. For other Billy fans, this was the setlist:
Yola - Movin Out
Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) - Vienna
Pat Monahan (Train) - She’s Always a Woman
Mary Chapin Carpenter - And So It Goes
Matt Nathanson - I Go To Extremes & Miami 2017
Jon McLaughlin - Everybody Loves You Now & Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Alexa Ray Joel - This Night
Rufus Wainwright - Lullabye
Ledisi - Turn the Lights Back On
Marc Roberge (OAR) & Itzhak Perlman - Downeaster Alexa
Bettye Lavette - She’s Got a Way
David Rosenthal - The Longest Time
Wyclef Jean - My Life
Neal Francis - Stiletto
Sammy Rae - River of Dreams & Get it Right the First Time
Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs) - Allentown
Curtis Harding - Uptown Girl
Gavin Degraw - Big Shot
Andrew McMahon (Jack’s Mannequin) - Piano Man
Lawrence - Only the Good Die Young
All - You May Be Right
Comment POWER50 & we’ll send you more information on how determined who made the list. 📈
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Introducing #31–#35 on the Pickleball Power 50 List:
31. Tyson McGuffin
32. Brian Levine
33. Mike Brown
34. Taylor Loomis
35. Justin Maloof
From electric on-court energy and grassroots influence to league governance, tournament infrastructure, global commerce, and national regulation — this group defines the connective tissue between spectacle and structure in modern pickleball. ⚡️
follow @thekitchenpickleball for more pickleball!
World 80+ Championship Pickleball Match!
Two inspiring women who remind us that strength, joy, and competition don’t have an age limit.
#pickleball #sports #pickleballislife #grandma #life