The groundbreaking deal marks leading pickleball brand JOOLA’s entry into professional team sponsorship with the Champions Division (age 50+) Franchise
(Indian Wells, CA, April 8, 2025) –– National Pickleball League’s Coachella Valley Scorpions and JOOLA, a global leader in pickleball and table tennis, are thrilled to announce a partnership to support competitive pickleball for Champions Division (age 50+) professional players. JOOLA proudly joins the Scorpions’ impressive sponsor roster alongside Agua Caliente Casinos.
Through this partnership, Scorpions Pickleball and JOOLA will combine their expertise to offer community pickleball clinics, celebrity and ProAm exhibitions, youth programming, senior open play, exciting events at Agua Caliente Casinos, and more. The partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to community and inclusivity within the fastest-growing sport in the United States.
“We are incredibly excited about this partnership with JOOLA,” said Rob Zwemmer, President of the Scorpions. “Their commitment to promoting paddle sports aligns perfectly with our mission of bringing sports and community together. Together, we will elevate our outreach programs, making pickleball more accessible and enjoyable for all residents in the Coachella Valley.”
The partnership between Scorpions Pickleball and JOOLA is particularly significant as it marks JOOLA’s first sponsorship of a professional pickleball team. Historically focused on supporting individual pro athletes, this collaboration highlights JOOLA’s dedication to advancing the team dynamic within the sport.
“Our partnership with Scorpions Pickleball and Champions Pro reinforces JOOLA’s dedication to expanding the pickleball community,” said Richard Lee, CEO & Owner of JOOLA. “Pickleball is a sport for everyone, and this collaboration allows us to showcase the competitive play of the Scorpions team while continuing to grow the game at all levels.”
Founded in 2022 by Champions Pro players Rick Witsken, Beth Bellamy, and Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen, the National Pickleball League is a nationwide team competition for Champions Division (age 50+) professional pickleball players. The league is made up of 12 teams in metropolitan locations in Indianapolis, Austin, Boca Raton, Naples, Denver, Oklahoma City, Houston, Seattle, Kansas City, Columbus, Princeton, and the Coachella Valley. The 2025 regular season events take place once per month from May to September, leading up to the NPL Championship in October.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Danielle Lehman
danielle.lehman@scorpionspickleball.com
805-300-9059
About the Coachella Valley Scorpions
The Coachella Valley Scorpions are a National Pickleball League® team founded in 2024 by owners Vince Vaughn, Kim Jagd, Rob Zwemmer, Don Zuker, and Ruth Ann Poppa. The mission of the team is to elevate passion for the sport across generations in the Coachella Valley community by uniting youth, families, and seniors through spirited play, fostering camaraderie, and hosting camps, clinics, and special events. For more information about the Coachella Valley Scorpions, go to www.scorpionspickleball.com or follow the team on Instagram: @ScorpionsPickleball and Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScorpionsPickleball.
About JOOLA
Founded in 1952, JOOLA is a globally recognized brand specializing in table tennis and pickleball equipment. With a commitment to innovation and quality, JOOLA continues to lead the way in racket sports, providing athletes and enthusiasts with the tools they need to excel at every level. www.joola.com