Leaked photos suggest Anna Leigh Waters may join Nike and Franklin

Photos from a now-deleted social media post at the Polo Club of Boca Raton showed 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters playing in gear that immediately caught the eye of the pickleball community. In the images Waters was using a Franklin-branded paddle with a shape strikingly similar to her former Paddletek Bantam ALW-C model and was wearing multicolored Nike Zoom Challenger pickleball shoes while partnering with Anna Bright in doubles against Tanner Tomassi and Richard Livornese Jr.

Waters enters 2026 as a high-profile free agent after her paddle contract with Paddletek and apparel deal with Fila concluded in 2025. Seeing her on court with a Franklin paddle and Nike apparel has sent waves through clubhouses and forums, because endorsement changes at her level tend to ripple into consumer demand, demo lines, and sponsor strategies across the amateur game.

The visual evidence was briefly posted by the Polo Club account and then removed, but screenshots circulated quickly. The paddle’s silhouette in the photos matched many of the features players associate with the Bantam ALW-C, which matters to players who value control, sweet-spot size, and the ALW signature shape. The Nike Zoom Challenger shoe has already been noted by shoe-savvy players for court grip and multidirectional support, so seeing Waters in that shoe adds fuel to discussions about which footwear amateurs might try next.

Practical implications for the community are immediate. If Franklin signs Waters for paddles, expect increased visibility for Franklin models and possible demand for new or signature editions that mimic the handling characteristics players see her use. If Nike steps into an apparel and footwear role, expect wider retail distribution and faster sell-through of any pro-endorsed shoe, which could drive demo events and interest at local clubs. Clubs and pro shops should prepare for increased questions, demo requests, and potential inventory shifts.

For players watching closely, the key things to track are official confirmations from Waters and the brands, any demo or pro-stock appearances at nearby tournaments, and early reviews from touring pros who test new kit. Until contracts are announced, treat speculation as useful intel but not final.

The takeaway? Keep an eye on official channels and your local pro shop for demo opportunities, and be ready to test similar paddle shapes and shoes rather than buying sight unseen. If Waters does sign with Franklin and Nike, that could nudge the community toward fresh gear options, and give you something new to bring into your next kitchen battle.