Pickleball Studio Podcast: Industry Reform and the Formation of PIMA
A Deep Dive with Selkirk's Tom Barnes on Manufacturing Unity and Industry Solutions
In this third segment of the Pickleball Studio Podcast, host Chris Olson continues his in-depth conversation with Tom Barnes from Selkirk Sport. The discussion focuses on the formation of the Pickleball Equipment Manufacturers Association (PIMA) and the current state of professional pickleball governance.
[1:02:11] Standing Up and Taking a Stand
Chris: I feel like all of it just comes down to people having to make a stand at some point. Everyone seems sick of it, even the news coverage people.
Tom: There's a lot of rumor around that isn't true, but there's also stuff that sounds like conspiracy theories that are actually happening. It's a big deal.
Summary: The discussion highlights the growing frustration within the pickleball community regarding the current state of affairs, with both true and false information circulating.
[1:02:49] The Current Chaos in the Industry
Chris: What's your take on the current state of the industry?
Tom: We're an early industry going through growing pains, so some mess is expected. The problem is there are very easy mechanisms and approaches to mitigate these problems. The big issue is that some entities want money and will do anything to get it, regardless of who has to pay or how much damage it causes to the industry.
Summary: Barnes acknowledges the industry's growing pains while emphasizing that many current problems could be easily addressed if not for certain entities' aggressive pursuit of profit.
[1:03:24] The Future of the PPA Tour
Chris: What do you feel like the future of the tour is? There seems to be so much skepticism around pro pickleball.
Tom: I won't claim to be an expert on the tour. The major problem is that organizations like PPA/MLP built their entire strategy around viewership, but they're not getting the viewership they expected. Pickleball is really fun to play but not that fun to watch for most people.
Summary: The discussion reveals concerns about the sustainability of professional pickleball tours due to lower-than-expected viewership numbers.
[1:06:11] Evaluating Brand ROI
Chris: Even some of the brands advertising on the tour - their ROI cannot possibly be there.
Tom: It used to be great ROI in the early days, especially for brands trying to get that foothold. But it's getting extremely expensive really fast, and there's no way they don't keep that curve parabolic.
Summary: Both host and guest express skepticism about the current return on investment for brands advertising in professional pickleball.
[1:06:55] Proposing a Solution
Tom: The manufacturers started talking to each other after my technical letter went out. This led to conversations about forming a trade association. We conducted polls, and 100% of manufacturers supported organizing, with 95% supporting forming a legal entity.
Summary: Barnes outlines how manufacturers began unifying and working toward forming an official trade organization.
[1:14:34] Defining "Creating Value"
Chris: How do you define what it means to create value as a manufacturer?
Tom: We need to set it up legally, but right now we know the current members add value inherently. We're trying to include people that actually add value to the industry versus just creating a brand that no one wants and putting their name on it.
Summary: The discussion explores the criteria for membership in PIMA, focusing on meaningful contribution to the industry.
[1:15:18] Joining PIMA
Chris: How does joining work? Is there a fee?
Tom: Right now, it's basically that everyone largely agrees they should be a part of this. It's meant to include every pickle ball equipment manufacturer that adds value and wants to be part of the conversation.
Summary: Barnes explains the current informal membership process while noting that formal structures are being developed.
[1:17:00] The Goal of PIMA
Tom: The fundamental goal is bringing up the industry as a whole because we know that if the tide rises, so do all boats. We want to do what's right for the industry from manufacturers' and customers' perspectives.
Summary: PIMA's mission focuses on collective industry improvement and ethical business practices.
[1:19:30] Governance Issues
Tom: The vast majority of issues related to the industry must be about the governing bodies. We need to address governance as a whole - it's an issue from the technical side, the implementation side, and the ethical side.
Summary: The discussion highlights governance as a critical issue requiring immediate attention and reform.
In-Depth Summary
The conversation reveals a pivotal moment in the pickleball industry's development, with the formation of PIMA representing a unified response to various challenges facing manufacturers and the sport as a whole. Tom Barnes articulates a vision for industry-wide cooperation and transparency, while identifying key issues including inadequate governance, questionable ROI in professional tours, and the need for standardized testing and communication protocols. The formation of PIMA represents a significant step toward addressing these challenges through collective action and democratic decision-making processes. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating value, maintaining transparency, and establishing clear governance structures to support the industry's healthy growth and development.
Pickleball's Manufacturing Giants Unite: A Watershed Moment for Sport's Future
Industry Leaders Form Alliance Amid Growing Concerns Over Governance and Sustainability
In a significant development that could reshape the landscape of America's fastest-growing sport, pickleball equipment manufacturers are taking unprecedented steps to address mounting industry challenges. Led by Tom Barnes of Selkirk Sport, a coalition of manufacturers is forming the Pickleball Equipment Manufacturers Association (PIMA), marking a pivotal moment in the sport's evolution from grassroots phenomenon to professional enterprise.
Industry at a Crossroads
The formation of PIMA comes at a critical juncture for pickleball. Despite the sport's explosive growth, professional tours are struggling with viewership, manufacturers are grappling with inconsistent equipment standards, and questions about governance and transparency loom large. "We're an early industry going through growing pains," Barnes acknowledges, "but there are very easy mechanisms and approaches to mitigate these problems."
The Viewership Conundrum
Perhaps most telling is the stark reality facing professional pickleball tours. The PPA and Major League Pickleball built their business models around television viewership, but the numbers aren't materializing as expected. "Pickleball is really fun to play but not that fun to watch," Barnes notes, highlighting a fundamental challenge for the sport's professional aspirations. This disconnect has created a ripple effect, impacting everything from sponsorship values to long-term sustainability.
A Crisis of Confidence
The industry's challenges extend beyond viewership. Manufacturers report growing concerns about regulatory capture - a phenomenon where those meant to be regulated become the rule makers. This issue, which contributed to racquetball's decline from its peak, has become a pressing concern in pickleball. Technical standards for equipment testing have come under scrutiny, with some tests reportedly "hundreds of percents out of spec."
The PIMA Solution
In response to these challenges, PIMA represents a remarkable consensus among manufacturers. In initial polling, 100% of manufacturers supported organizing, with 95% favoring the formation of a legal entity. The association aims to be democratic, transparent, and focused on evidence-based decision-making.
A New Path Forward
PIMA's formation signals a shift toward collective problem-solving. The association plans to prioritize issues based on member consensus, with governance and technical standards at the top of the agenda. "If the tide rises, so do all boats," Barnes explains, emphasizing PIMA's commitment to industry-wide improvement.
Communication Bridge
One of PIMA's key objectives is to improve communication between manufacturers and governing bodies. With hundreds of manufacturers in the market, governing bodies like USA Pickleball lack the administrative capacity to effectively manage individual relationships. PIMA aims to serve as a crucial intermediary, streamlining communication and ensuring consistency in standards implementation.
Analysis
The formation of PIMA represents more than just industry cooperation - it's a recognition that pickleball's future depends on addressing fundamental challenges in governance, standardization, and professional development. The unanimous support for the association suggests manufacturers see these issues as existential threats to the sport's continued growth.
The timing is particularly significant. As pickleball continues its rapid expansion, the need for coherent industry standards and effective governance becomes increasingly critical. PIMA's emergence suggests a maturing industry taking control of its destiny, rather than leaving it to chance or external forces.
However, questions remain. The association's ability to influence existing governing bodies, its impact on professional tours, and its capacity to maintain unity among competitors will ultimately determine its effectiveness. What's clear is that pickleball's manufacturing sector is no longer content to watch from the sidelines as the sport's future hangs in the balance.
In-Depth Summary
The formation of PIMA marks a watershed moment in pickleball's development, reflecting both the sport's remarkable growth and its current challenges. The unprecedented unity among manufacturers suggests an industry recognizing the need for collective action to address issues ranging from technical standards to professional tour sustainability. While the immediate focus appears to be on governance and standardization, the broader implications for the sport's future are significant. As pickleball continues its evolution from recreational activity to professional sport, PIMA's success or failure could well determine whether the sport can maintain its momentum while building a sustainable foundation for future growth. The initiative represents a proactive approach to industry challenges, but its ultimate impact will depend on its ability to implement meaningful reforms while maintaining the democratic, transparent principles upon which it is being founded.
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