Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. And as courts spring up across the U.S., entrepreneurs are rushing to capitalize on the phenomenon. But opening a pickleball club isn’t just about finding the right location and stringing nets —it’s about finding the right people to build a business with.
The decision to take on a business partner shouldn’t be taken lightly. Like marriage, it’s a commitment that will test your patience, challenge your assumptions and require constant communication. The stakes are particularly high in the pickleball industry, where profit margins can be razor-thin and success depends on everything from court maintenance to community building.
The Money Talk That Must Happen
Before you shake hands on any partnership deal, have an uncomfortable conversation about money. Pickleball clubs face unique financial pressures: high upfront costs for court construction, ongoing equipment replacement, insurance premiums that reflect an active sport, and seasonal revenue fluctuations in many markets.
Be brutally honest about financial expectations. Will profits be split equally, or will they reflect different investment levels? What happens when one partner wants to reinvest earnings while another needs to draw income? These aren’t hypothetical scenarios — they’re the daily realities that can fracture even the strongest friendships.
Document everything in writing. A handshake agreement might work for weekend doubles partners, but business partnerships require the same legal rigor as any major financial commitment.
Decision-Making: Who Gets the Final Say?
In the heat of business decisions, even the most collaborative partners can reach an impasse.
Establish a clear decision-making hierarchy from day one. In partnerships with equal ownership, consider designating specific domains of authority — one partner handles operations while another manages marketing and member relations. For major strategic decisions, agree in advance on a tie-breaking mechanism, whether that’s bringing in a neutral advisor or defaulting to the partner with the most relevant expertise.
The alternative is paralysis by analysis, where profitable opportunities slip away while partners debate endlessly.
Playing to Your Strengths
The best pickleball partnerships pair complementary skill sets rather than duplicate them. If you’re a natural salesperson, partner with someone who excels at operations and facility management. If you understand the technical aspects of court construction and equipment sourcing, find a partner who thrives on community engagement and member retention.
This isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about survival. Successful pickleball clubs must simultaneously function as athletic facilities, social hubs and small businesses. That’s a lot of spinning plates for any one person to manage alone.
Planning for the Unthinkable
Nobody launches a business expecting it to fail or planning for personal tragedy, but prudent partners prepare for both possibilities. What happens if one partner wants to exit the business? If someone becomes incapacitated? If personal circumstances change dramatically?
Draft a comprehensive partnership agreement that addresses buyout formulas, succession planning and dispute resolution. Consider key-person insurance policies that protect surviving partners and their families if something happens to a co-founder.
Think of it as a prenup for your business marriage. These conversations are never comfortable, but they’re far easier to have when everyone’s optimistic and getting along than when relationships are strained and money is tight.
The Human Element
Beyond the spreadsheets and legal documents, remember that pickleball clubs are fundamentally about people. Members don’t just want access to courts — they want to belong to a community. That means your partnership needs to model the collaboration, respect and good sportsmanship you hope to foster among your members.
Choose partners whose values align with yours, not just their checkbook or skill set.
The pickleball boom won’t last forever, but the clubs that survive and thrive will be those built on solid partnerships. Take the time to choose the right co-founders, structure your relationship thoughtfully, and prepare for both opportunities and challenges ahead.
Your future self will thank you for getting the partnership right from the start.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
