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
• Augie Ge, Board Member
• Collin Johns, Board Member
• Jay Devilliers, Board Member
• Gabe Tardio, Board Member

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

This is a developing story; we will add more information as it becomes available.