High level timeline of Joola-USAP conflict

This page is designed to host all the relevant events along with pertinent links, press releases, and court filings, related to the Joola-USA Pickleball lawsuit. If you see any pertinent missing information or have additional links you believe would be useful, please reach out to my email: tboss at bossconsulting.com. Note: Sport Squad, Inc is the parent company/DBA of Joola, when noted herein.

  • Early 2023: Joola begins working on its Gen3 paddle line, which contains an innovative interior design not before seen on the market.
  • Sept 2023: Joola submits two Gen3 prototypes to USAP for complaince testing, and USAP approves them.
  • Nov-Dec 2023: Joola submits nine production/market versions of the two base/prototype paddles to USAP for "similarity testing." USAP approves them on 12/25/23. As we'll find out later though, Joola accidentally sent the wrong set of paddles for this round of testing, which will become a key component of the eventual banning and lawsuit.
  • 4/16/24: Joola announces the official launch of its Gen 3 paddle line, which features some controversial internal technology that seems to go against the Paddle specifications in the USAP rulebook (specifically rule 2.E.1 that says, "The paddle shall be made of rigid, non-compressible material.") The core of the Joola Gen3 paddles does compress, purposefully, to greate an internal trampoline effect that clearly imparts a significant amount of power. Reports from the courts and from pros indicate that the Gen3s have a massive step-up in power, to the point where concerns for the sport and for player's health are raised.
  • 5/15/24: rumors start to swirl that the new Joola Gen 3 paddles, which feature a compressable foam interior that seems to go against the guidelines defined by USA Pickleball in section 2.E.1 of its rulebook regarding "non-compressable material," has been removed from the list of approved paddles on USAP's website and is thus barred for competition from USAP-sanctioned events. This includes many/most amateur events, but especially APP events. A slew of pros have pivoted to this paddle, and Joola is a significant sponsor of pro players. Indeed, when perusing the USAP approved paddle list, Joola's new Gen3 line is no longer on the approved list. USAP does not make an official announcement on this situation until 6/4/24 (see below)
  • 5/16/24, Joola issues a press release confirming the fact that USAP removed the Gen3 paddles due to an "administrative error" by Joola in November 2023 related to sending in the wrong paddles. Joola's press release makes it seem like they'll be back on the approved list soon.
  • 5/24/24, Joola releases another statement where they announce that they've submitted updated paddles and paid the expedited testing fee, but that USAP has no timeline for re-testing.
  • 5/29/24: Joola sponsored players begin leaking out emails that they've received from the PPA tour that indicate that Joola Gen 3 paddles will be banned at the CIBC Texas Open due to "a discrepancy with USAP." By some accounts, qualifiers into the PPA event were given 5 minutes notice that they couldn't use the paddles, and there were more than 20 withdrawals on the Men's singles side alone. The doubles draws also featured a ton of withdraws, replaced by "lucky losers" that made for odd-looking results all weekend as "top seeds" got shredded by experienced pros. There is some conflicting info here: others claim that they were allowed to use Joola Gen3s for the Tuesday qualifying but not further.
  • 6/4/24: USA Pickleball issues a press release following up on Joola paddle banning. Quoting the release, "USA Pickleball received and tested the newly submitted paddles, which did not meet our approved equipment standards. As a result, these paddles have not been added to the USA Pickleball approved equipment list." This is a huge shock, and immediately removes from competition every Joola Gen3 and Alpha variant. Privately, insiders I spoke with allege that USAP, by not having exit velocity testing, basically used this as an opportunity to "invent" a reason to fail the paddles in reaction to the realization that they're just way too powerful and are changing the game.
  • 6/5/24: Predictably, the Joola fallout will head to court. Joola responds to USAP's banning confirmation on instagram and says that they'll be disputing the findings in "forthcoming legal proceedings." Click on these links for coverage in The Dink and in BizJournal.
  • 6/6/24: Meanwhile, A class-action lawsuit is filed AGAINST Joola in the southern district court of Florida, alleging that they purposely sent in paddles for testing to hide the power in their new paddles. The motives of the plantiff Gregory Matus are immediately brought into question; he's either sponsored by or a part owner of a competing paddle company called Phantom Pickleball.
  • 6/10/24: News starts to leak out from various brands that, in the wake of the Joola delisting situation, that their paddles are going to be delisted as well. This includes at least two known paddles: the Vatic Oni (email sent to purchasers, no press release yet), and the Ronbus Ripple (no known press release).
  • note: click here for a direct link to all filings related to this case number on pacermonitor.com. This is a paid-for service but the list of filings can be seen for free. You can also register at pacer.gov to see any and all federal court filings, where the costs are minimal.
  • 6/12/24: Joola officially files suit against USA Pickleball in US District Court in Maryland (where Sport Squad, Inc, the owner of Joola, is based). Case number 8:24-cv-01712 . They seek $100 Million in compensatory damages, $100 Million in punative damages, plus an immediate return of certification approval of their paddles. See here for a copy of the initial complaint. Click here for Joola's public statement on instagram accompanying the official complaint.
  • 7/22/24: USA Pickleball responds to the Joola 6/12/24 filing with Motion to Dismiss. The MTD focuses on Joola's errors in process as a reason to dismiss with prejudice.
  • 8/19/24: Joola (aka Sport Squad) filed their arguments why the lawsuit should not be dismissed (officially, the Plantiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss). There's some humorous legal-speak accusations in the filing accusing USAP of inventing their own facts and completely misrepresenting Joola's complaints.
  • 9/10/24: USA Pickleball responds to Joola's 8/29/24 arguments. Per "surfpenguinz," The filing is USAP's Reply in support of its Motion to Dismiss. USAP's Motion is now fully briefed. Judge Xinis may set a hearing but thus far the matter is under submission. Without a hearing I expect a decision on the motion by October."