Pickleball Pros Organize New 'Players Association'

The World Pickleball Players Association is helmed by Tina Pisnik and Collin Johns, and will focus on advocating for increased transparency around health, safety, compensation and more.

According to articles published this morning from ESPN and Sports Business Journal, and a press release obtained by The Dink, a group of professional pickleball players have organized to form the World Pickleball Players Association.

“This is about players working together to advance our sport and raise it to the next level — for athletes, fans, and the game itself," said WPPA President Tina Pisnik said in the press release.

The WPPA's Mission

The WPPA, its website states:

is a player-led organization formed to strengthen our sport through unity, professionalism, and collaboration. Pickleball is exploding in popularity, and as the sport grows, we’re coming together to help guide its future.

The association currently lists seven founding members, all of whom are active UPA pros:

Tina Pisnik, President
Dekel Bar, Treasurer
Jessie Irvine, Secretary
Collin Johns, Board Member
Jay Devilliers, Board Member
Gabe Tardio, Board Member

Augie Ge is listed on the website as a board member but has confirmed to The Dink that he is no longer involved.

The WPPA will focus on a number of priorities, including the health and safety of pro players as well as increased transparency when it comes to scheduling, compensation, and more.

Why now?

It's the right time for it, says Collin Johns.

In a WPPA press release distributed Friday, he added:

“The formation of an official player association marks an important step in the natural evolution of a newly established professional sport. Our priority is to protect player interests and provide a unified, independent voice. We look forward to working collaboratively with tour leadership wherever possible, with the shared goal of building long-term success and stability for the sport and its athletes.”

WPPA President Tina Pisnik told SBJ that while members at launch are mostly from the UPA, the group welcomes any professional player from a broad spectrum of tours, including those based internationally.

"Whoever loves the sport and wants to be a part of it,” she said.

Support from pro tennis

The WPPA has received support from the Professional Tennis Players Association as well:

"This is a significant and commendable milestone, representing the first crucial step toward independent, player-led representation. We strongly believe in the importance of athletes having a unified voice that is free from league or tour control or interference. Such independence is vital to ensuring that the interests, rights, and wellbeing of players remain the priority in all decision-making processes."

Both articles stress that the WPPA is not a players' union, as pickleball pros are technically independent contractors.

The UPA's Pro Player Committee

The UPA has had its own Pro Player Committee since 2020.

Just today, its members elected Zane Navratil as its acting president.

According to a league statement:

The United Pickleball Association Pro Player Committee serves as the official and exclusive player representation body recognized by the UPA to weigh in on key matters including rules, regulations, player obligations, compensation structure, policies, and other professional pickleball governance.

Without naming names, the UPA made it clear that it does not acknowledge the authority of the WPPA.

The UPA confirms that this committee is the only formally acknowledged and authorized voice of its athlete base.

As president, Zane "will be instrumental in acting as the voice of not just the committee, but of his fellow 155+ contracted athletes of the UPA."

The UPA's Pro Player Committee:

Zane Navratil - President
Roscoe Bellamy
Brooke Buckner
Jorja Johnson
Allyce Jones
Eric Oncins
Catherine Parenteau
Federico Staksrud
Anna Leigh Waters
Matt Wright

Update: Zane Navratil Issues Statement

Zane Navratil posted a statement to LinkedIn about his appointment as president of the Pro Player Committee.

Here it is in full:

Honored to Serve as President of the UPA Pro Player Committee.

I’m grateful to share that I’ve been elected by my peers to serve as President of the UPA Pro Player Committee. For those unfamiliar, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the parent organization of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the PPA Tour (PPA).

While I didn’t actively seek this position, I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to serving the player community with integrity and balance. Like many others in this growing sport, I wear a lot of hats—professional athlete, team captain of the The New Jersey 5s - Major League Pickleball, partner at 35 Capital (owner of Paddletek and ProXR Pickleball), co-creator of an international clinic platform with Christopher Bouza/Pickleball Pros , YouTube content creator, podcast host with The Dink Pickleball, and ambassador for Stop Alzheimer's Now. I’m also a proud husband to Jenny and dog dad to Murray and Arlo.

Despite a full plate, I believe strongly in the value of unified representation. Unlike other major sports, professional pickleball has yet to benefit from a true players’ association. It’s time for a collaborative, solutions-oriented voice at the table—one that works with the UPA rather than against it.

With a background in accounting and a deep respect for the business side of the sport, my goal is to advocate for smart, actionable improvements that elevate the player experience without disrupting operational sustainability. This role isn’t about conflict—it’s about constructive progress.To the 167 UPA players who entrusted me with this role: thank you. I won’t take it lightly.