Anna Leigh Waters has become the first professional pickleball player signed by Nike, a milestone that places pickleball firmly on the radar of global sports brands.
At just 18 years old, Waters now earns an estimated USD 2–3 million annually from prize money and endorsements—putting her compensation in the same conversation as athletes from far more established professional leagues.
https://talksport.com/nfl/2416295/pickleball-anna-leigh-waters-nike-caitlin-clark-salary-wnba/
What Happened
- Nike signed Anna Leigh Waters as its first-ever pickleball athlete
- The deal includes apparel and footwear representation at tournaments
- Financial terms were not disclosed publicly
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-finally-gets-involved-in-one-of-the-fastest-growing-global-sports-is-it-too-late-923ad9b3
https://www.tipranks.com/news/nike-nke-signs-endorsement-deal-with-pickleball-athlete
Who Is Anna Leigh Waters (By the Numbers)
- Age: 18
- Turned Pro: Age 12
- World Ranking: No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed
- Career Gold Medals: 180+
- Triple Crowns: 39
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Leigh_Waters
Earnings: Pickleball vs Other Sports
Estimated Annual Earnings
- Anna Leigh Waters: USD 2–3 million
- Ben Johns (pickleball): ~USD 2.5 million
- Average pro pickleball player: ~USD 260,000
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2024/09/25/no-1-female-pickleball-player-anna-leigh-waters-to-earn-more-than-3-million-in-2024-agent-says/
https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/ben-johns-tells-cnbc-his-pickleball-income-has-grown-10x-in-two-years/
| Athlete | Sport | Approx. Base / Early Career Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Clark | WNBA | ~USD 76,000 base salary |
| Alex Morgan | Soccer | ~USD 100–200k base (early years) |
| Naomi Osaka | Tennis | <$1 million early career (pre-major wins) |
| Anna Leigh Waters | Pickleball | USD 2–3 million (current) |
https://talksport.com/nfl/2416295/pickleball-anna-leigh-waters-nike-caitlin-clark-salary-wnba/
https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/pro-pickleball-players-are-out-earning-wnba-and-nwsl-stars/
Why This Matters
- Nike’s Entry = Validation
Nike does not enter sports casually. This signals belief in pickleball’s long-term commercial viability. - New Athlete Benchmark
Waters’ earnings reset expectations for future player contracts, sponsorships, and negotiations. - Pickleball Is No Longer “Recreational”
Compensation at this level reframes pickleball as a true professional sport, not a niche pastime.
What to Watch Next
- Will Nike sign more pickleball athletes?
- Will Adidas, Puma, or Under Armour follow?
- How quickly will athlete compensation rise at the top tier?
https://talksport.com/nfl/2416295/pickleball-anna-leigh-waters-nike-caitlin-clark-salary-wnba/
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-finally-gets-involved-in-one-of-the-fastest-growing-global-sports-is-it-too-late-923ad9b3
https://www.tipranks.com/news/nike-nke-signs-endorsement-deal-with-pickleball-athlete
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2024/09/25/no-1-female-pickleball-player-anna-leigh-waters-to-earn-more-than-3-million-in-2024-agent-says/
https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/pro-pickleball-players-are-out-earning-wnba-and-nwsl-stars/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Leigh_Waters
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