DALLAS, TX – It seems like every 20-something finance bro with 4.0 or 4.5 player credentials is convinced that a career in professional pickleball awaits.

Sure thing, Brad, but don’t quit your day job just yet! You may have the skills, but do you have the money and financial backing to make it work?

Sure, we’ve all seen the highlight-reels of professional athletes sporting their fresh Gucci fits after signing contracts with gigantic signing bonuses, but would that necessarily be the case for a pickleballer?

Take a look at the CNBC article where Ben Johns discusses making $2.5 million a year. And what about Anna Leigh Waters’ cross-country RV travels and luxury fashion collection? The top dogs are clearly doing well. 

What about everyone else?

Tanner Wallace recently shared his grievances about the cost of going pro in pickleball.

Tournaments usually last five days. And if you’re battling in the qualifying rounds, your journey starts before the likes of Johns and Waters even arrive on-site. 

So if you have a full-time job, you’re going to be taking quite a bit of holiday time to potentially make it to Championship Sunday.

Registration fees alone total $11,000 if players go to each PPA event on the schedule.

Travel can be costly, too, and tournaments are conducted all over the country, with plans for international expansion in 2025.

The PPA Tour schedule in August, for example, is particularly wild. There are stops in Overland Park, KS, Bristol, TN, Salt Lake City, UT and Las Vegas.

And right after Vegas, an event in Atlanta awaits come early September.

That's a lot of air travel, not to mention a rental car or Uber costs once players land, and potentially lengthy hotel stays. 

Wallace estimated that travel expenses, hotel costs, and food for PPA tournaments could run approximately $40,700.

It should be noted, however, that the overwhelming majority of pros have sponsorship deals that cover the costs of gear, travel, and various expenses that sweeten the deal. But if you’re competing in those qualifying rounds where brands, sponsors, and press aren't necessarily familiar with you yet, an incredibly steep financial mountain awaits.

And none of that is even taking into consideration the skills, strategy, and luck it takes to move up the bracket to secure larger and larger cash prizes. 

Right now, professional pickleball sounds a little bit like: “We’re in it because we love it and we’re passionate about it,” and not to make millions of bucks. 

But as it continues to grow in popularity, the money will follow.

Will pickleball ever see contracts similar to the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB? Let us know your thoughts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).