Premier Padel have announced that talks are imminent with rival circuit World Padel Tour (WPT) after almost a year of public rancour.
The two tours have clashed for nearly a year after Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) – owners of Paris St Germain – partnered with the International Padel Federation (FIP) to create Premier Padel.
This new world tour, which is about to begin a second expanded season, set up in competition to the pre-existing Damm-owned WPT, a separate entity from the FIP.
The fallout has included the Professional Padel Association (PPA) players’ union accusing the WPT of breaking European Union (EU) competition law by under-paying players. The WPT, meanwhile, believes Premier Padel has encouraged players to breach contract so they can move to the new circuit.
Last October, the WPT announced plans for a new event and business model, which included allowing players to compete in Premier Padel. Lawsuits against them would also be dropped, provided players signed up to the deal, though this offer was criticised by the PPA.
Premier Padel and the WPT will now go to the negotiating table although it is not known at this stage whether a potential merger, or simply a happier co-existence, is proposed.
