Retired pro volleyball player Casey Patterson brought valuable perspective to the current "Tour Wars" in pickleball on the recent MaryGoRound Podcast, having experienced similar competing tours chaos during his volleyball career. When the main volleyball tour surprisingly went bankrupt shortly after Patterson received his first major sponsorship deal, he was forced to scramble and rebuild his career through international and alternate tours.
Patterson ultimately sees the pickleball tour competition as a positive for players, even amidst the current uncertainty. He believes it gives athletes more control over their destiny, rather than being restricted by a single organization. The bidding war for top players has also helped increase salaries and incentives across the board. However, Patterson cautions that players should maximize this leverage by securing personal sponsors and building their brand, rather than relying solely on the tours for their income. During chaotic times, he emphasizes staying focused on improving your skills and fitness rather than getting distracted by the politics.
As a self-described planner, MaryGoRound Podcast host Mary Brascia found all the unknowns surrounding partnerships and deals to be uniquely stressful. But her passion for the sport motivates her to adapt and make the most of this opportunity to grow pickleball. Her sister and doubles partner Maggie recently signed with the PPA tour based on their team dynamic and style of play.
I don't know if you knew where Maggie and I ended up going - we ended up signing with PPA because we do want to continue to play together as a team. There are good reasons to go with both tours, but we felt PPA was the best fit for us as partners. We're excited to see what happens and how the team dynamic plays out on that tour. - Mary Brascia
For aspiring pros, Patterson suggests ignoring the tours for now and concentrating on your game. As tours vie to sign top talent, they will come calling for dedicated players at the right time. He sees social media as an ideal platform for pickleball to showcase player personalities behind the scenes, humanizing stars like himself for broader fan appeal. While admitting he has no crystal ball, Patterson plans to stick with pickleball for the long haul, enjoying the youthful energy of the community. He will continue training vigorously for as long as his body cooperates.
Patterson expects continued changes on the tours as deals evolve. He advises being patient, flexible, and willing to pivot as the sport matures. Ultimately, he believes if you love the sport intrinsically, ride out the rollercoaster changes, trust your gut instinct, and the rest will fall into place.
🎾 00:00 - Immerse yourself in the action with our engaging intro! 🏀 00:30 - Controlling your performance on the court and gaining a competitive edge 🌟 2:09 - Casey Patterson as he introduces himself and his passion for Pickleball 🔥 3:12 - Gain exclusive insights as Casey discusses his perspective on the intriguing world of "Tour Wars" 🏆 12:28 - Casey's remarkable Pickleball journey and learn from his experiences along the way 🏋️♂️ 15:35 - Uncover the secrets of Casey's training regimen and the areas he's honing in his game ↔️ 17:35 - Join the debate as Casey sheds light on his preferred side of the court ⏰ 19:04 - Peek into Casey's daily playing routine that contributes to his skill set 👪 19:57 - The Patterson Family's involvement in the Pickleball scene 🌌 20:44 - Casey's visionary outlook for the future and growth of Pickleball 🥇 23:04 - Casey talks about playing in the Olympics 🌴 23:51 - Explore Casey's life beyond the court, gaining insights into his interests and activities
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