Together with
Live-shopping broadcaster QVC has struck a deal with the USA Pickleball league for everything from streaming rights and original content to, of course, merchandising.
The Big Swing: Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the US, so clinching exclusive rights is a big win for such an unconventional player… opening up the possibilities for other niche companies to take a swing in the sports space.
Behind the Scenes: QVC is getting out of the studio and onto the court.
- QVC will stream all of the league’s tournaments live on QVC+ and HSN+ and will also show BTS content and other pickleball-focused original programming.
- The company will put its sales prowess on the sport through “curated shoppable entertainment” around matches and a pickleball shopping collection that could get around-the-clock coverage.
The Future: While QVC and pickleball seem like a strange partnership, it actually makes a lot of sense when you consider the main audience for both — women over 50. Demographically, it’s an ace. If fans embrace watching and shopping all things pickleball on QVC’s platforms, bigger leagues may make a “shoppable component” a key deal point in their next broadcast contracts.
TOGETHER WITH CANVA
No design skills needed! 🪄✨
Canva Pro is the design software that makes design simple, convenient, and reliable. Create what you need in no time! Jam-packed with time-saving tools that make anyone look like a professional designer.