Life Time Secures Exclusive Pickleball Ball Deal with Major League Pickleball

Event summary

  • Life Time's LT Pro 48 pickleball has been named the official ball of Major League Pickleball (MLP), effective for the 2026 season.
  • The 2026 MLP season begins May 22-25 in Dallas.
  • The LT Pro 48 pickleball, designed by Life Time Founder Bahram Akradi, features a 48-hole design intended to improve consistency and durability.
  • Life Time currently operates over 190 athletic country clubs with more than 800 permanent pickleball courts.

The big picture

Life Time's deal with MLP represents a strategic move to capitalize on the explosive growth of pickleball, a sport increasingly popular across demographics. By securing the official ball designation, Life Time gains significant brand visibility and a direct revenue stream from a rapidly expanding professional league. The partnership also underscores Life Time’s broader strategy of integrating athletic facilities, branded products, and experiential programming to create a vertically integrated healthy lifestyle ecosystem.

What we're watching

Brand Leverage
The success of the LT Pro 48’s adoption within MLP will likely influence Life Time’s strategy for expanding its branded product offerings across other racquet sports and athletic equipment.
Competitive Landscape
The merger of MLP and the PPA Tour under the UPA creates a consolidated professional pickleball ecosystem, and Life Time’s position within it will be crucial to observe as the new entity defines its competitive strategy.
Venue Strategy
Life Time’s extensive network of athletic country clubs provides a significant advantage, but the company’s ability to leverage these venues to drive pickleball participation and revenue will be key to sustaining growth.

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