Update: The Picklr Crisis – What We Know Now
Several weeks after reports of mass layoffs ignited speculation about the future of one of pickleball’s biggest franchises, court filings, club closures and a franchisee bankruptcy provide a much clearer — though still incomplete — picture. By Josh Kerns | Facility MagazineOctober 3, 2026 It started several weeks ago with word of layoffs. On September […]
BREAKING NEWS: Reports of Picklr Financial Crisis and Layoffs: What We Know and Don’t Know, and What It Means for the Industry
By Josh Kerns/IAPPF The IAPPF is monitoring rapidly developing reports involving The Picklr. Here is what can be established from public records and first-hand sources—and what remains speculation. Reports that The Picklr is facing a serious corporate financial crisis spread rapidly across the pickleball industry Wednesday, including claims of sweeping layoffs and an imminent or […]
Think your facility’s above average? Prove it – free IAPPF benchmarking pilot
You think you run a great facility. Your members seem happy. Your reviews look solid. But compared to the rest of the industry — are you actually ahead, or just assuming? Right now, you can’t say for sure. No one can. That data has never existed. Until now. The IAPPF is launching an industry-first customer […]
People First: The HR Playbook Every Pickleball and Padel Facility Needs
At our recent IAPPF Regional Meetup in Philadelphia, one of the most valuable conversations wasn’t about court construction, programming, or technology—it was about people. Moderated by IAPPF CEO David Johnson and featuring former Starbucks executive and human development consultant Lisa Kerns, the session focused on a reality every facility owner understands: your staff will ultimately […]
How Pickleball Clubs Are Fighting the Summer Slump
As pickleball continues its rapid rise across the U.S., one challenge is becoming increasingly clear for facility operators—summer is no longer a guaranteed win. While winter months pack indoor courts wall-to-wall, the warmer season introduces a different dynamic: more options, more travel, and more competition from outdoor play. And for clubs, that means one thing—get […]
The full court press: Expert advice for filling and running a successful facility
Running a successful pickleball or padel facility takes more than courts, programming, software, or a few social media posts. As the industry matures, operators are facing a more complicated reality: rising competition, higher customer expectations, labor costs, rent, technology decisions, marketing challenges, and the constant need to keep players engaged. In the new episode of […]
New podcast: PodPlay and the future of facility management software
When it comes to club management platforms, more and more facilities are choosing PodPlay to power their operations. What attracts them is a powerful, comprehensive suite of services on the back end, with an elegant, simple, and user-focused interface on the front end. How did they do it, and what makes PodPlay so appealing? In […]
Fill your Courts! How to Drive Growth With Digital Marketing
The Sweet Spot Podcast – Episode with Wes Shaw and Chase Wicklund of Stack 11 Marketing 🎙️ Episode Overview In this episode of The Sweet Spot, host Josh Kerns welcomes West Shaw and Chase Wicklund of StackEleven Marketing, the only agency exclusively focused on marketing for pickleball facilities. From filling courts to retaining members, West […]
The Sweet Spot Podcast: Are you REALLY covered?What you need to know about pickleball facility specific insurance before disaster strikes
An insurance carrier who knows pickleball is critical to your business Insurance for your pickleball facility is a critical part of your business. But far too many operators choose to utilize insurance carriers with no knowledge or expertise in the pickleball industry. They can suffer delbilitating losses as a result. It turns out there are […]