PaddleWar changes ownership, targets expansion into 20 states by 2026

PaddleWar’s ownership change is less about a corporate reshuffle than a bigger wager on amateur pickleball itself. The Naples-based league now belongs to Nannette Staropoli, a Naples marketing strategist and longtime pickleball enthusiast, and the target is aggressive: grow from its current nine-state footprint to 20 states by the end of 2026.

The acquisition terms were not disclosed, but the intent is clear. PaddleWar, a 3-year-old company, says it is active or expanding in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas and California. That spread gives the league a coast-to-coast feel without pretending it has already become a national giant. The real question is whether the model can keep building actual playing opportunities, or whether the 20-state goal is more marketing than match play.

Staropoli is pushing the first answer. She has owned and operated a digital marketing company for more than 25 years, and that firm has served as the marketing agency for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. Now she is applying that same growth playbook to PaddleWar, which says it provides structured league play through local teams, facility partnerships and regional league coordinators. For amateur players, that matters more than a flashy brand refresh. It means organized matches, clearer competition ladders and more chances to play without waiting on a random court opening.

PaddleWar also says it uses a proprietary app and rating system, with the PaddleWar Rating serving as the official rating system for league play. In a sport where open play can be chaotic and competitive balance often depends on word of mouth, a unified rating structure can be real infrastructure if it is widely adopted. If it is not, it is just another app in a crowded pickleball ecosystem.

Staropoli says the goal is to strengthen the pickleball community while helping facilities deepen member engagement, build community and create meaningful competitive opportunities. That is the pitch facilities want to hear, especially in markets where court demand still outpaces supply. She is also looking for facility partners, league coordinators, private clubs, team captains and market leaders to support the expansion.

The next phase will show whether PaddleWar can turn a Naples headquarters and a nine-state base into something much larger. If it gets to 20 states by the end of 2026, it will be more than a growth story. It will be evidence that amateur team pickleball has graduated from niche pastime to scalable sports business.