Association of Pickleball Professionals Signs Broadcast Deal with CBS, ESPN; Over 200 Hours to Stream Live

Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in America, just had a huge growth spurt thanks to a new broadcasting deal with CBS and ESPN.

On Monday, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) announced monumental rights deals with CBS Sports and ESPN to deliver hundreds of hours of APP Tour pickleball programming throughout 2023. This includes 12 hours of live matches and highlight-driven programs on CBS Sports Network, eight hours of event recap telecasts on ESPN2, and more than 200 hours of live streaming coverage on ESPN+ and APP TV.

“We are delighted to welcome CBS Sports and ESPN to the APP and are excited to be working with two of the most significant names in sports media to bring the sport of pickleball to fans across the country,” APP’s chief marketing officer Tom Webb said. “Over 36.5 million Americans played pickleball in 2022 and this media package enables those fans to tune in to our world-class tournaments, and introduces the sport and its best players to millions more. The APP exists to expand the sport of pickleball domestically and internationally and this media exposure is an important step in that mission.”

The rights deal joins an already-in-progress pickleball season that began in Punta Gorda, Fla. with a sold-out event and hundreds of professional and amateur pickleball players from across the globe. The 2023 APP Tour continues with the APP Daytona Beach Open from Feb. 8-12.

Pickleball has taken the sports world by storm and has attracted some major investors. Involved in various pickleball leagues are the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, James Blake, Kim Clijsters, and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry. Now, CBS and ESPN are getting a piece of the pickle with this latest news.

The full schedule, including where you can watch the pickleball action, is below.

2023 APP Television Schedule

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ESPN+ is a live TV streaming service that gives access to thousands of live sporting events, original shows like Peyton’s Place, the entire library of 30 for 30, E:60, The Last Dance, as well exclusive written analysis from top ESPN insiders. Sports available on ESPN+ include NFL, MLB, NHL, UFC, College Football, F1, Bundesliga, PGA Tour, La Liga, and more.

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You will get a daily out-of-market game from MLB, and every out-of-market NHL with NHL Power Play (previously NHL.TV). For NFL Fans, they have an exclusive NFL game, and simulcast select Monday Football games.

The service has some of the most attractive soccer coverage including Bundesliga, LaLiga, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise and more.

College sports fans will be able to watch thousands of games and events including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf, and more.

For boxing and UFC fans, the service offers Top Rank boxing and will be the home of 15 exclusive UFC events.

ESPN+ now includes exclusive insights from analysts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (which used to be part of ESPN Insider), as well as premium Fantasy Tools & PickCenter.

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