Weekly News Roundup: Big Investments, Bigger Tensions
Inside the week’s biggest stories—growth, controversy, and big-name moves.
Padel continues to shake up the sports world, from expansion plans and major investments to controversy within the professional circuit. This week, Padel Mecca dives into the biggest stories covering the sport’s impact, player disputes, and high-profile endorsements.
The Growing Impact of Padel on the Sports Market
Padel’s meteoric rise has transformed it into an economic powerhouse, fueling investments, job creation, and increased revenue for sports brands and retailers. The sport’s accessibility and social nature have drawn players of all ages, leading to a surge in padel-related businesses, from court construction to equipment sales. Moreover, media and sponsorships are capitalizing on this momentum, with matches gaining more exposure on sports networks. Padel’s growth is not just about the game itself—it’s fostering inclusivity, active living, and reshaping the global sports industry.
- Read more on Tennis Tonic
Premier Padel Faces Player Backlash Over Unilateral Changes
Tensions are boiling between players and Premier Padel, as professionals express frustration over unilateral changes to the circuit’s structure. Players have boycotted key tournaments in response to adjustments in the scoring system and reductions in tournament brackets—moves made without their input. The Professional Padel Association (PPA) has issued a statement demanding that Premier Padel honor its initial agreements. With star players speaking out, the conflict continues to escalate, leaving the future of the tour uncertain.
- Read more on Padel World Press
Zinedine Zidane Invests €5 Million into Padel Expansion
Football legend Zinedine Zidane is making waves in the padel business, investing €5 million into a new facility in Perpignan, France. Through his company Z5, Zidane has already developed padel and five-a-side football centers in Aix-en-Provence and Istres. Passionate about the sport, Zidane sees padel as a highly accessible and social game, making it a perfect fit for his business ventures. With this latest project, Zidane aims to further boost padel’s popularity in France while preparing for a potential return to football management.
- Read more on Footboom
Andre Agassi Enters the Padel Market with New Equipment Line
Tennis icon Andre Agassi is teaming up with JOOLA and pickleball pro Brooke Buckner to launch a new collection of padel rackets under the "Agassi Pro" brand. This move marks Agassi’s deeper involvement in racket sports beyond tennis and pickleball. With growing excitement around the launch, the collaboration signals another major step in padel’s mainstream adoption, bringing the sport further into the spotlight alongside other booming racket games.
- Read more on Footboom
Golf Club Expands into Padel as the Sport Continues to Boom
Padel’s influence is spreading beyond traditional racket clubs, as Hartford Golf Club in the UK has received approval to build four new padel courts. This expansion reflects the sport’s rapid adoption, with the number of padel players in the UK growing from 6,000 in 2019 to 90,000 today. The move aligns with a broader trend of golf clubs integrating padel facilities to attract a more diverse audience and maximize usage of their space.
- Read more on Yahoo News
Video of the Week
Check out these highlights from The Finals in the Riyadh Season Premier Padel P1 (MEN)
The stakes are rising on and off the court! From Zidane’s multi-million euro investment to growing tensions in the pro circuit, this week’s biggest stories highlight the power struggles and expansion shaping padel’s future.
With player boycotts, major business moves, and the sport’s continued global surge, there’s no slowing down.
🔥 What’s your take on the latest developments? Let us know in the comments!