Pickleball & NIL Deals: How College Athletes Can Cash In on the Fastest-Growing Sport
The world of college athletics has changed forever, and pickleball is emerging as a major player in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era. Since the NCAA allowed college athletes to profit from their personal brands in 2021, student-athletes across sports have signed million-dollar endorsement deals. While basketball and football dominate the NIL landscape, pickleball is becoming a surprising new frontier for college athletes to get paid and build their brand.
With pickleball's explosive growth (36.5 million players and counting) and increasing investment from major brands, there are huge opportunities for student-athletes to land sponsorships, promote gear, and make money while playing the sport they love.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What NIL deals are and how they work in college sports
Why pickleball is a massive new opportunity for college athletes
How student-athletes can land sponsorships and brand deals
Real-life examples of college athletes profiting from NIL in pickleball
If you’re a college athlete, pickleball player, or even a high school recruit, this could be your chance to turn pickleball into a serious income stream!
What Are NIL Deals? (And Why They Matter for Pickleball Players)
Before 2021, NCAA athletes couldn’t make money from their name, image, or likeness—meaning they couldn’t accept sponsorships, sell merchandise, or monetize social media. That all changed when the NCAA updated its NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules, allowing athletes to:
Sign endorsement deals with brands (paddles, shoes, energy drinks, etc.)
Make money from social media and YouTube
Sell personal merchandise (T-shirts, custom paddles, etc.)
Partner with camps, coaching programs, and training brands
For sports like football and basketball, NIL has created million-dollar deals. But pickleball is an untapped market, which means college players can get in early and dominate the space.
Why Pickleball Is a Goldmine for College Athletes in the NIL Era
The Sport Is Growing Faster Than Ever
Pickleball participation has grown 158% in the past three years.
Brands like Selkirk, Joola, Skechers, and Franklin are investing millions in sponsorships.
More colleges are adding pickleball clubs and intramural programs.
There’s Less Competition for NIL Deals
Football and basketball players compete for the biggest NIL deals.
Pickleball is still new in the NIL space, meaning brands are actively looking for ambassadors.
Being an early adopter means more opportunities, less competition, and bigger deals.
Social Media + NIL = Unlimited Earning Potential
College athletes with even 5,000+ Instagram followers can land deals.
TikTok and YouTube pickleball content is booming, creating opportunities for players to monetize their audience.
Many NIL deals focus on social media reach, not just performance on the court.
How College Athletes Can Land NIL Deals in Pickleball
Step 1: Build Your Personal Brand
Sponsorships go to athletes with a strong brand presence. Even if you're not a pro, brands will invest in you if you:
Have a growing social media presence (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
Actively compete in college pickleball events or tournaments
Showcase a strong personality, work ethic, and engagement with fans
Pro Tip: You don’t need 100K followers—brands prefer athletes with engaged communities over raw numbers.
Step 2: Grow Your Social Media & Engage with Pickleball Brands
Social media is one of the fastest ways to attract NIL deals in pickleball. Brands want to partner with players who can promote their products online.
Post pickleball-related content at least 3-5 times per week.
Use popular hashtags like #Pickleball, #PickleballLife, #NIL, #CollegeAthlete.
Engage with pickleball brands (like Joola, Selkirk, Franklin) by commenting on their posts.
Pro Tip: Brands look for athletes who interact with their audience. Respond to comments and messages to boost engagement!
Step 3: Contact Brands & Apply for NIL Sponsorships
You don’t have to wait for brands to find you—be proactive and reach out.
Email pickleball companies and introduce yourself. Example:
“Hi [Brand], I’m [Your Name], a college pickleball athlete. I love your gear and have been promoting pickleball on social media. I’d love to discuss a potential NIL partnership. Let’s chat!”
Apply for existing NIL programs, like:
Opendorse (NIL marketplace for athletes)
Icon Source (helps athletes connect with brands)
Pickleball brand ambassador programs
Pro Tip: Keep your email short and professional. Highlight your social media reach, engagement, and love for the game.
Step 4: Negotiate Your NIL Deal
Once a brand is interested, they’ll offer one or more types of deals:
Free gear sponsorships (Paddles, shoes, apparel)
Paid promotions ($100 - $5,000 per social media post)
Affiliate marketing (Earn a % of each sale through your link)
Performance-based bonuses (Win a tournament, get a bigger payout)
Pro Tip: Even small NIL deals can add up—start with free gear, prove your value, and negotiate paid deals over time.
Real-Life NIL Success Stories in Pickleball
Anna Bright (Former College Tennis Player → Pickleball Star)
Anna Bright, a former UC Berkeley tennis player, transitioned to pickleball and quickly landed sponsorships. Her social media + tournament success helped her secure deals with Joola and other major brands.
John Cincola (Social Media to Sponsorships)
John built his pickleball brand through YouTube and Instagram. Even before he was a top pro, his consistent content and engagement helped him land gear and affiliate deals.
Lesson: You don’t need to be a superstar—if you build your brand, the sponsorships will follow.
Why NOW Is the Time for College Athletes to Cash In on Pickleball NIL Deals
With pickleball exploding and NIL opportunities wide open, college athletes have a golden opportunity to:
Get paid to play pickleball through sponsorships.
Grow their social media brand and become influencers in the sport.
Monetize their passion through coaching, content, and affiliate marketing.
Are you a college athlete looking to land a pickleball NIL deal? Drop a comment and let us know your journey!