By RJ Mitchell
IN part two of his exclusive interview with The Padel Paper the CEO of the new American Pro Padel League Marcos del Pilar has vowed to create a ‘whole new industry’ around the sport in the USA.
Del Pilar believes that padel will without doubt prove to be the next big sports trend in America and has provided a blow-by-blow breakdown in relation to the areas and segments of sporting humanity which the new PPL can have a hugely positive impact on.
The President of the US Padel Association is also excited to reveal the pathway which will open up for North American players and team owners alike as he projects forward to the start of the PPL’s inaugural season starting March 2023.
As we revealed in part one of Del Pilar’s first major interview with a media outlet outside of ‘The Land of the Free’ a TV deal has already been agreed to provide air time to 75 million American homes.
While other broadcasting options around the globe are also being explored but first Del Pilar was keen to reaffirm his mission statement for the PPL.
He said: “My mission has always been to create an entire new industry in the USA. To be able to grow padel with sustainability in the long term and to create opportunities for everyone.
“I have a strong vision of abundance and generosity, in business and my own life. I truly believe in people. That said there are some huge opportunities if we focus on the respective key constituents of the PPL.
“First let’s look at team owners. They will have the opportunity to be part of the next big sports trend in North America. Franchise teams have proven to be a very profitable investment in other big sports.
“Valuations are going higher and higher along the way and padel has incredible room to grow in America.
“Turning to the players then this is a completely new competitive environment where they can get paid to play while creating a platform to get major exposure. This is absolutely the next step for North America-based players to access new opportunities.
“In terms of the coaches then they will benefit from the huge traction of the sport. That big mass of new fans will need the next generation of ambassadors to lead them into instruction and different teaching programs. A new scenario with plenty of opportunities to be explored.
“When it comes to the fans and our audience then they will get a high-end competition to follow. Fans will be able to engage with players of their own city, the next generation of padel celebrities on the continent.”
Del Pilar also outlines huge wins for sponsors, facility owners and of course broadcasters: “The PPL’s sponsors will become leading entities in the padel world in North America by getting attached to the values and growth of the sport under a high-quality competition designed to be successful in the long term.
“Facility owners will be able to build a great community of fans and customers in their areas and those fans will become consistent and recurrent clients that will engage with their different offerings.
“As for broadcasters they will enjoy new content to engage with their audiences and monetize in different ways in terms of TV rights, gambling, advertisements. Really everyone will benefit with the PPL.”
There is also a firm commitment from Del Pilar to produce homegrown American playing and coaching talent which will soon be able to compete at the highest level.
This will be done through a hook up with PadelMBA, Spain’s leading coaching platform which will allow the PPL to develop, train and mentor the next generation of US coaches, and to produce top quality online training content for players.
Del Pilar confirmed: “Of course. The USA will be creating players and coaches to compete at the highest level soon. On this side, we also partnered with the leading company in padel education in the world, PadelMBA.
“This will be provide certification & training courses in partnership with the USPTA and the USPA and both players and coaches will benefit from this alliance in North America.”
Del Pilar was also excited to reveal that the reaction he has received from soundings taken from some of the top indigenous playing talent in the US has been hugely positive while applications to get involved have poured in from around the world.
The PPL CEO shared: “We have had some really positive internal discussions with some of the best players in North America to double-check their interest. They absolutely loved the idea.
“They are one of the main reasons for us to put together this concept and we consider them as a total priority. I feel a big responsibility towards creating a platform for them to shine, develop themselves and have a chance to get the exposure that they and the sport need.
“They will all will get paid for playing, and our plans focus on them becoming a big part of the PPL’s future developments. We are already receiving lots of applications from all over the world, not only North America and, even when unfortunately only a few of them will be able to participate in 2023, we will grow the format to receive more and more players from 2024.
“So we are tremendously excited about this and determined to make sure that everyone is a winner with the PPL.”
All of which seems certain to make sure that padel will be rockin’ in the USA very soon!
