Pickleball becomes one of America’s fastest-growing sports

Yahoo Finance Live looks at the trending popularity of pickleball in communities across the United States.

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DAVE BRIGGS: COVID is likely the reason that it's not football, baseball, basketball, hockey, or soccer that is the hottest sport in the country. The fastest growing by far is pickleball, 39% growth in 2019. If you haven't played it or seen it, it is essentially a combination of tennis and table tennis, if you will, a little wiffle ball played with a wooden or graphite paddle.

And this sport is big business. TV contracts with CBS, Fox Sports, and Tennis Channel, 700 new courts across the country being built by Lifetime health clubs. Marc Lazzari, legendary investor, has invested in the game, as has media tycoon, Gary Vaynerchuk. But the question is, does Rachelle have any idea what we're talking about? No pickles are actually involved in this game, you do know.

RACHELLE AKUFFO: Well, you know I really hate pickles, but I've literally never even heard of this sport. Like, I would drive, and I would see people on the tennis courts. I'm like, why are you misusing the equipment? What is this? No, this is for tennis. But then I kept hearing about it. I would see it on TikTok, and I was like, OK, let me look up what this thing is.

So it looks like you're essentially standing on the table tennis court, and I do like the fact that clearly, it's an easy-- there's very few barriers to entry. And a lot of people of different ages seem to enjoy it. I'd definitely be willing to give it a try, especially the weather's getting nice. Why not? If I could play kickball and other things, why not give this a try, too?

DAVE BRIGGS: You'd love it.

BRAD SMITH: I think so, too, because when you think about how this kind of shrinks tennis, makes it a little bit less difficult, at least at an entry point for people to take advantage of, and then there's still that mobility, you can be agile and really get a good exercise in on the sport.

I actually started following the PPA TOUR on Instagram, just because I saw Larry Fitzgerald, the famed former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, playing in one of the tournaments that was really hosted by the PPA TOUR. And I think that's exactly where the entry point is, as we see so many former athletes, former pro athletes, that are looking towards the sport and being advocates for it as well, as well as the additional venture capitalists that we had talked about before.

DAVE BRIGGS: Yeah, low barrier to entry, I think, is the key. You talked about the difference between tennis. It's not as strenuous on your body. And the big thing with tennis is mastering the serve is just about impossible for the average athlete. This is the easiest serve on the planet. Just underhand it, Rachelle. Leonardo DiCaprio is playing. The biggest company providing equipment, Pickleball Central, said sales were up 30% to 40%. It is huge business.