SPORTS MANAGEMENT FIRM Global Sports Pickleball has entered into a strategic partnership with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) – creators of the world’s first professional and amateur pickleball tour.
Per a joint release, the collaboration is set to “reshape the landscape of professional pickleball in India, elevate Indian talent onto the global stage, and create exciting new competition opportunities for players from the USA and worldwide”.
With the partnership, which was two years in the making, it unlocks a dynamic player pathway between the U.S. and India, enabling top APP-ranked professionals to compete in Global Sports’ Pro and Challenger League events across India, Dubai, Vietnam, and more.
In turn, standout Indian players will earn the opportunity to compete at APP Tour events in the U.S., including the prestigious APP Tour Championships at The Fort, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“This is a massive step for pickleball in India,” said APP founder Ken Herrmann. “The talent here is strong and growing rapidly. By collaborating with Global Sports, we’re building real pathways for players to succeed at the highest levels.”
Echoing in agreement, Global Sports co-founder and partner Shashank Khaitan said, “This collaboration with the APP represents a pivotal step forward. Together, we are creating global exposure, financial opportunity, and a serious sporting future for players in India. The APP has supported us from the start, and this official partnership is a natural progression of our shared vision.”
Headlining this partnership is the integration of player pools, where the top 12 men and top 12 women from the APP Tour will be eligible for the Global Sports Pro League auction, providing American athletes the chance to compete in India and experience pickleball as a vehicle for “cultural exchange and global unity”.
As part of the growing relationship, APP Tour professionals and members of the 2025 APP U.S. National Team will also compete at the Monsoon Pickleball Championship, to be held July 29–August 3 in Mumbai.
While the APP continues to deepen its long-standing relationship with Pickleball England, the new partnership with Global Sports reflects the growing momentum of Indian pickleball and positions India as a key player in the sport’s international future.
Together, Global Sports and the APP aim to build a thriving professional ecosystem that champions talent, promotes cross-border play, and inspires the next generation of pickleball athletes around the world.
