Wednesday Wisdom
Pickleball - hotter than a Taylor Swift concert ticket. Plus today's watercooler topics.
Whether surrounded by colleagues in the boardroom or sipping cocktails at a festive social gathering, there's a timeless icebreaker that never fails to ignite fascinating conversations: sports.
Great success,
The Last Night's Game
Photo: Just Paddles
PIckleball is still having a moment
Pickleball is still one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and so many of you have written us that you're curious about it. We love a sport you can play with your grandma (and she can kick your butt).
While everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian is picking up a paddle, do you know where the name originated from? Although a great story, the game is not named after the founder, Congressman Joel Pritchard's family dog, Pickles (Pickles wasn't alive when the sport was created in 1965).
The sport's name is in reference to local pickle boat races. Yes, the college crew "Pickle Boats" inspired the game's name, but Joel Pritchard confessed he used to confirm the dog story as a funny newspaper interview hoax.
To answer questions like "Why do you yell 'pickle'" and "Why athletic ability isn't necessary," check out this week's podcast. LISTEN UP
Short and Sweet
The Orlando Magic (NBA - National Basketball Association), which touts Disney as a sponsor, donated $50,000 to the super PAC supporting Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign in June.
"ESPN8: The Ocho" returns tomorrow through Saturday. The "Dodgeball: The Movie"-inspired festivities feature athletic competitions you've likely never heard of. New additions this year include arm wrestling, auctioneering, corgi races and dog surfing.
Detroit Lions (NFL - National Football League) coach Dan Campbell wanted to spice things up by having a real Lion on the field, but the league said no. Boo.
The NFL is back with the Hall of Fame preseason game tomorrow night featuring the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. It'll be Aaron Rodgers' first game as a Jet, but he likely won't play.
Photo: instagram/uswnt
Photo: SpoonfulofSi
Unveiling Pickleball: America's Fastest-Growing Sport
The sport that is taking over the nation.
Photo: Unsplash
It seems you can't throw a rock without hitting a pickleball court. We've done the work so you can join the conversation about one of the fastest-growing sports in America. (Actual pickleball talent, not necessary).
Before we get started, the basics:
It's a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.
It's played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.
The game is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, similar to a Wiffle ball.
It can be played as doubles or singles; your opponent doesn't have to be the same gender.
1. Pickleball has gone mainstream - major sports brands sell pickleball gear, sponsor players and networks like CBS broadcast games. The New York Times declared pickleball "ready for prime time," Vanity Fair has covered the sport, and the sport was the focus of a comedic primetime special called "Pickled" that aired last year, produced by Stephen Colbert. USA Pickleball Membership had over 69,000 members at the end of 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year. PICKLEDOME
2. Everybody is playing it. They're all picking up a racket from the Kardashians to Melinda Gates, Michael Phelps, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Owen Wilson, Russell Wilson to Drew Brees. Leonardo DiCaprio plays every day—by his own rules, naturally. His game is "like a free-for-all," one L.A.-based showrunner confided to Vanity Fair. The best pickleball story is about an unsuspecting Pittsburgh mom who ended up playing with members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. BIG FANS
3. The genesis of pickleball dates back to 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle). Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum came up with the sport because their kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules to the sport today, where it's played by official university pickleball teams, to the National Senior Games, to the Pickleball National Championships with 2,300 registered players. OLYMPICS NEXT?
4. Although a great story, the game is not named after the Pritchard family dog, Pickles. (Pickles wasn't alive in 1965). The sport's name is in reference to the local pickle boat races. Yes, the college crew "Pickle Boats" inspired the game's name, but Joel Pritchard confessed he used to confirm the dog story as a funny newspaper interview hoax. LAUGHING WITH YOU, NOT AT YOU, REPORTERS
5. Some terms to throw around if you're picking up a paddle at one of the 8,500 locations on the USA Pickleball's Places2Play map are similar to what you might hear in tennis, like ace and backhand. Then there's the non-volley zone (NVZ or "The Kitchen"), a seven-foot area on either side of the net where players cannot volley the ball. It includes all lines surrounding the zone. At worst, yell "pickle!" before serving, the universal warning the server shouts to alert players that they are about to serve. TALKING SHOP
If you want more on pickleball, this is an excellent resource or here's a five-minute video that goes over the rules.
Monday Minute: Brittney Griner Is Taking A Break, Travis Kelce's Punching Problem + Katie Ledecky's World Title Triumph
What you need to know to start your week.
Photo: Instagram/mls
Monday coffee pot small talk handled.
For today's Monday Minute podcast episode or our podcast exclusive Weekend Preview, subscribe to the podcast or our YouTube channel.
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
Brittney Griner will take a break from her Phoenix Mercury team to work on her mental health, missing the team’s upcoming two-game road trip. Griner returned to the WNBA in June after missing all last season while serving a nearly 10-month detention in Russia. The Mercury fully supports Griner, and the two will work together on a timeline for her return.
NFL (National Football League)
Travis Kelce said, “he’s got to be a better leader,” after two physical altercations on the field during Kansas City Chiefs training camps over the weekend. Maybe he’s taking the diss from Taylor Swift harder than we thought.
Swimming
Katie Ledecky earned her 16th career individual swimming world title in the 800-meter freestyle on Saturday in Japan. She surpasses Michael Phelps’ record for world titles with this win.
Before we go
LeBron James shared a video of his son Bronny, playing the piano five days after being discharged from the hospital. Bronny went into cardiac arrest at a USC practice last Monday.
Everyone went crazy when Eminem introduced Terrance Crawford before his fight against Errol Spence, Jr. this weekend. Then Crawford put on a dominant performance to become the undisputed welterweight champion. Some are calling it one of boxing’s greatest performances ever.
UP your game
The USWNT makes a historic bid in the southern hemisphere. READ ON
Photo: Instagram/newyorkjets
GAME CHANGER
Depicting Athletes' Contracts And Their Weird Inclusions - it’s not all spa treatments and tropical vacations. LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE