Latest news with #CarvanaPPATour
New York Post
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Pickleball star struggles to break paddle in epic meltdown
This pickleball player might need to learn a thing or two from John McEnroe. After losing match point at the Humana Championship Court during the Carvana PPA Tour, pickleballer Zane Ford went wild on his paddle — and it just wouldn't break. He lost the point on a wayward volley back to James Ignatowich that went too far to the left of the line and immediately drew an anger-filled reaction from Ford. Zane Ford crashes out after being upset at tis Pickleball tournament. X, @PPAtour He screamed, 'Come on, Jimmy!' after the point fell and the match was sealed. Ford, 20, instantly began smashing his paddle on the court, slamming it over his knee to finally get it to snap. Ignatowich couldn't help but crack up laughing at the wild scene as he walked off the court, enjoying his victory. Ignatowich's win was actually an upset, coming into the tournament as a No. 46 seed against Ford, who was a No. 10 seed. Zane Ford had to break his paddle over his knee in order to bend it fully. X, @PPAtour Ford took the first game of the match impressively, 11-0, before falling apart, losing 11-1 and 11-4 to seal his fate. Ford is the No. 14-ranked singles player in the league, while coming in at No. 63 in doubles. Ignatowich is ranked No. 65 in PPA play. Pickleball has risen in popularity dramatically as it competes for fans with tennis. The sport was created in 1965, but quickly grew in popularity in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Carvana and PPA Tour Build on Successful Title Sponsorship with New Multi-Year Partnership
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) today announced the extension of their multi-year title sponsorship agreement. This renewal builds upon the tremendous success of their initial partnership, which began in 2022 and has helped propel pickleball to new heights as America's fastest-growing sport. The extended partnership will continue to feature events under the Carvana PPA Tour name while introducing enhanced fan experiences, expanded tournament coverage, and increased prize opportunities for players. "Our partnership with the PPA Tour has exceeded expectations, reflecting the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to the sport's growth," said Ryan Keeton, Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer. 'As pickleball continues to unite communities across the country, we're thrilled to keep supporting its passionate players and fans.' Partnership Highlights Since the beginning of the partnership, the Carvana PPA Tour has achieved record growth: Expanded Reach: Over 320,000 spectators attended events in 2024, with millions more tuning in and engaging through traditional and digital media channels. Player Rewards: With the support of Carvana's sponsorship, the PPA Tour has dramatically increased player compensation, offering more than $30 million in prize money and payouts to over 130 professional athletes. Media Innovation: A groundbreaking partnership with Tennis Channel led to the creation and launch of Pickleballtv, a 24-hour pickleball network, bringing the sport to new audiences nationwide. Fan Engagement: Unique initiatives like "Carvana's Road to the Finals" sweepstakes have created unforgettable moments, including gifting vehicles to standout pros, amateur players and fans. "The Carvana PPA Tour partnership has been instrumental in elevating professional pickleball to unprecedented levels," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. 'Carvana is the largest and most impactful sponsor of professional pickleball, and its investment in fan engagement and commitment to growing the sport aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we've created a premier sports experience that continues to attract both top athletes and new enthusiasts to pickleball." In 2025, the Carvana PPA Tour will roll out upgraded fan and amateur experiences alongside more than 20 marquee tour stops for its biggest and most engaging year yet. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pick-up as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About Carvana PPA Tour Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball's top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Carvana PPA Tour organizes and conducts tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and showcases the world's best pickleball week in and week out. Inviting amateur players to also compete and 'play where the pros play,' the Carvana PPA Tour offers divisions for every age group and skill level. Characterized by a uniquely festive and fun atmosphere, Carvana PPA Tour events deliver unparalleled experiences for fans on-site, including pro player meet-and-greets, clinics, food, beverages, live entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, and VIP upgrades. For more information, go to and follow us on social: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Carvana and PPA Tour Build on Successful Title Sponsorship with New Multi-Year Partnership
The leading online auto retailer and America's premier pickleball tour strengthen their commitment to growing the sport following years of record-breaking success PHOENIX, May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) today announced the extension of their multi-year title sponsorship agreement. This renewal builds upon the tremendous success of their initial partnership, which began in 2022 and has helped propel pickleball to new heights as America's fastest-growing sport. The extended partnership will continue to feature events under the Carvana PPA Tour name while introducing enhanced fan experiences, expanded tournament coverage, and increased prize opportunities for players. "Our partnership with the PPA Tour has exceeded expectations, reflecting the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to the sport's growth," said Ryan Keeton, Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer. "As pickleball continues to unite communities across the country, we're thrilled to keep supporting its passionate players and fans." Partnership Highlights Since the beginning of the partnership, the Carvana PPA Tour has achieved record growth: Expanded Reach: Over 320,000 spectators attended events in 2024, with millions more tuning in and engaging through traditional and digital media channels. Player Rewards: With the support of Carvana's sponsorship, the PPA Tour has dramatically increased player compensation, offering more than $30 million in prize money and payouts to over 130 professional athletes. Media Innovation: A groundbreaking partnership with Tennis Channel led to the creation and launch of Pickleballtv, a 24-hour pickleball network, bringing the sport to new audiences nationwide. Fan Engagement: Unique initiatives like "Carvana's Road to the Finals" sweepstakes have created unforgettable moments, including gifting vehicles to standout pros, amateur players and fans. "The Carvana PPA Tour partnership has been instrumental in elevating professional pickleball to unprecedented levels," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. "Carvana is the largest and most impactful sponsor of professional pickleball, and its investment in fan engagement and commitment to growing the sport aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we've created a premier sports experience that continues to attract both top athletes and new enthusiasts to pickleball." In 2025, the Carvana PPA Tour will roll out upgraded fan and amateur experiences alongside more than 20 marquee tour stops for its biggest and most engaging year yet. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pick-up as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About Carvana PPA Tour Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball's top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Carvana PPA Tour organizes and conducts tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and showcases the world's best pickleball week in and week out. Inviting amateur players to also compete and "play where the pros play," the Carvana PPA Tour offers divisions for every age group and skill level. Characterized by a uniquely festive and fun atmosphere, Carvana PPA Tour events deliver unparalleled experiences for fans on-site, including pro player meet-and-greets, clinics, food, beverages, live entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, and VIP upgrades. For more information, go to and follow us on social: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: press@
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
VIDEO: Pro Pickleball Couple Parris Todd and Hunter Johnson - 7 Secrets on Playing Pickleball with your Romantic Partner
Parris and Hunter give advice including 'don't let it get too competitive' and 'use communication to your advantage' DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, February 13, 2025 / / -- - Parris and Hunter give advice including 'don't let it get too competitive' and 'use communication to your advantage' - Parris and Hunter are coming off a monumental Sunday, where they both won Gold at the PPA Tour Proton Tucson Open and were featured in a Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial Although they have different recollections of how they met and fell in love, professional pickleball stars Parris Todd and Hunter Johnson have more experience than anyone when it comes to surviving and thriving as partners on the pickleball court. In the following video, the couple - who was just featured alongside Catherine O'Hara and Willem Dafoe in a Michelob Ultra Super Bowl Commercial on the SAME DAY they each won singles Gold Medals at the PPA Tour Proton Tucson Open - shares their tips for how other romantic partners can enjoy their time on the pickleball court. Survivor winner and pickleball fanatic Tyson Apostol digs deep into their relationship and experience playing the sport they love together. Check out the video HERE, and photos of Parris and Hunter HERE. (Credit: PPA Tour/MLP) Seven Tips to Playing Pickleball With Your Romantic Partner 1. Celebrate each other's success: 'If one of us wins, both of us win.' - Parris 2. Use communication to your advantage: 'The better relationships you can have on a team, the better it is for everyone. The fact that we were so close … the communication was there.' - Parris 3. Balance each other out: I like to be the emotionally neutral part of the relationship - she might snap a couple times … if you see her on court she's pretty fierce, which is a very good thing - but if you're on the wrong side of that it could be a little dangerous.' - Hunter 4. Hide your disagreements and move on: 'We do a good job of hiding it when sometimes maybe we do quickly bicker, but we try to move on quickly from that as much as we can because you don't want it to fester.' - Hunter 5. Mix it up!: 'We're together all the time, so we try to mix it up and play with other people. Sometimes just to break it up (is helpful) because we feel like when we have a little bit of that separation and then we come back together we appreciate each other more.' - Parris 6. Don't get too competitive: 'Don't get too competitive and have fun. It's light-hearted stuff! You shouldn't kill each other (although you could) but just look at the positives, communicate and just enjoy the sport that we all love.' - Hunter 7. Pickleball is such a fun sport, let it bring joy to your lives: 'At the end of the day it's a sport that we play. Even though it's a career, there's things that are bigger - relationships are more important than just a game.' - Parris About Carvana PPA Tour: Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball's top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Carvana PPA Tour organizes and conducts tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and showcases the world's best pickleball week in and week out. Inviting amateur players to also compete and 'play where the pros play,' the Carvana PPA Tour offers divisions for every age group and skill level. Characterized by a uniquely festive and fun atmosphere, Carvana PPA Tour events deliver unparalleled experiences for fans on-site, including pro player meet-and-greets, clinics, food, beverages, live entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, and VIP upgrades. For more information, go to and follow us on social. About Major League Pickleball: Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring nearly 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, a unique format, easy to understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association, bringing together the leading professional pickleball organizations under a single entity. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit the official website and follow us on social. Jeff Watson PPA Tour and MLP +1 817-944-2298
