Le  paddle  continues to grow in  USA And this time, the signal is particularly strong.  Pro Padel League (PPL)  formalized a  $15 million fundraising , conducted by  Rick Schnall , co-owner and governor of  Charlotte Hornets  en  NBA .

This investment confirms a fundamental trend: padel is no longer simply perceived as a growing sport across the Atlantic, but as a  a true, structureable sports product , with real economic potential.

 A new milestone for the Pro Padel League 

This new round of funding didn't come out of nowhere.  PPL  had already raised  10 millions of dollars in 2025 , and this new operation therefore marks its  second major capital injection in less than a year .

In concrete terms, the money should be used to strengthen several areas of development:

  • the  franchise infrastructures 
  • le  player development 
  • the organization of premium events  in North America

The league also specified that this funding must accompany the  next phase of growth  of his project.

 A very American model 

What makes the  Pro Padel League  What's interesting is also its method of construction. The chosen model is very clearly inspired by major American sports leagues:
 Franchises ,  private investments ,  stable calendar ,  product development , and now even a  second division .

Because, in parallel, the PPL also launched  PPL II , a kind of development league designed to bring out local talent and structure a real pathway to the top level in North America.

 The 2026 season is already well underway. 

For 2026, the  Pro Padel League  has planned a schedule in  five steps  in North America, with stops in:

  •  New York 
  •  Los Angeles 
  •  Playa del Carmen 
  •  Guadalajara 
  •  Miami which will host the finals

 When the NBA enters the conversation, the message changes. 

The name of  Rick Schnall  is obviously not insignificant in this story.

That a leader so deeply entrenched in the ecosystem of  American sports business  Deciding to undertake an operation of this scale inevitably lends weight to the project. It's not just a question of money: it's also a question of  credibility ,  network  and  long term vision .

And he's not alone. Other personalities from the world of sports and entertainment have already invested in the PPL, such as  Frances Tiafoe ,  Maarten Paes ,  Daddy Yankee  or,  Nacho Figueras  according to several specialized media outlets.

 A real turning point, more than just a PR stunt 

Ultimately, this fundraising round doesn't just tell a story of good financial news for the  Pro Padel League .

It mainly tells a broader story:
the fact that the  padel is starting to be taken seriously as a sporting product in the United States .

And when profiles from around the world  NBA  They start betting on him so openly, the message becomes quite clear:
Padel, there, is no longer seen as a test. It's starting to be viewed as a  real opportunity .

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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