PicklePod

• Quang Duong Lands Massive Paddle Contract

  Quang Duong is helping to accelerate pickleball’s international growth. With guidance from his Dad/Coach, Duong is embracing his Vietnamese roots to launch a new signature paddle and apparel line. Fresh off a double gold victory at the US Open, Jack Munro stops by to show Zane his new hardware. One of those medals came in mixed doubles, where Zane's prediction for Andre Agassi and Anna Leigh Waters severely missed the mark. Phoenix Flames GM Brant Weiss shares how he has stepped into his new role as coach/meme lord/cheerleader. He explains how the AZ Drive became the Flames and what they have planned for MLP Phoenix. Our Guy Erik Tice helps recap all things MLP Columbus, including the Johns Bros withdraw that had the picklesphere buzzing. Find out how Zane thinks the situation could have been remedied on-site. Performance, comfort, and style in one effortless collection. Save 20% on apparel from MUEV with code THEDINK at https://muevbrand.com/collections/new-arrivals-2 Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 Quang Duong signs with Sypik 6:04 Half a million is too small for us 7:00 The Avatar Ball Bender paddle 10:04 Legendary Duong family practices 14:55 How do you recover after long training sessions? 17:00 Everybody loves Bao 18:29 Quang lands Wika as shoe and apparel sponsor 23:20 Looking to Duc between points 26:22 Asian players still chasing US players … for now Brant Weiss 33:47 Coach Weiss promoted to meme lord 35:40 AZ Drive become the Phoenix Flames 37:37 Interesting trades in the offseason 39:45 Leaning into personality and vibes 41:59 What are the plans for MLP Phoenix? Erik Tice 43:49 Tice’s MLP recap 48:12 The Squeeze surprising the field 50:53 Strength of schedule advantages 52:49 Miami hit big in the draft 56:52 50/50 rally vs traditional scoring 59:22 Counting days since last cursing incident 1:02:19 Shock trolling with ‘Security’ guard shirt 1:04:02 Team Emmrich stepped up for the Hogs Jack Munro 1:08:09 Zane’s son Jack Munro joins the pod 1:13:18 Is the US Open still a ‘major’ 1:17:00 Why did ALW get the exception? 1:18:45 Zane with an all-time miss on the Agassi prediction 1:25:14 Life on the line - who do you partner with? 1:26:40 Will Howells riles up PPA crowd 1:33:00 Go follow Jack on YouTube Erik Tice 1:36:23 Addressing the Johns Bros Columbus withdraw 1:44:45 Where’s the team support? 1:49:50 Fines and suspension Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:56:59
• The heated exchange between Anna Leigh Waters & Hayden Patriquin

  The MLP season is officially underway and we've got a lot to cover after an exciting opening weekend. Orlando Squeeze owner Ryan DeVos provides a behind-the-scenes look at the new standard for MLP events. Christian Alshon was the center of attention again as new serve rules were challenged throughout the weekend. Alshon weighs in on the switch from rally to traditional scoring and hopes that we don't see any more orange courts in the near future. Will Howells was on court with Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin when chaos erupted. He provides his firsthand account of the events and shares why the unique coed format of MLP creates a dynamic not typically seen in sports. Finally, Ben Padula from Real Clear Stats breaks down the data and has a recommendation that might just appease MLP players and spectators. Performance, comfort, and style in one effortless collection. Save 20% on apparel from MUEV with code THEDINK at https://muevbrand.com/collections/new-arrivals-2 Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ Ryan DeVos 1:49 Orange courts set the tone 6:10 Behind the scenes in hosting an MLP event 10:36 Can MLP thrive with less involved owners 12:06 The Squeeze embody the Flint Tropics

 Christian Alshon 16:20 Christian Alshon coaching at US Open 18:30 Alshon weighs in on new scoring system 20:13 Dishing out strategy during matches 22:09 Getting’ Lost in the orange’ 24:24 Playing by your own serve rules 26:20 Let’s get the call right 32:37 Serve height rule is broken again 39:08 Weekend takeaways 40:50 Rapid fire and blind ranking 44:30 - 29:24 The Tice Spreadsheet 49:06 Tiers of MLP teams 54:50 The ‘new girlies’ 56:46 Dylan Frazier and Tina Pisnik new paddles’ 57:06 Agassi and ALW no doubters 59:51 Listener questions 1:03:39 Zane sticking up for his teammate Will Howells 1:02:38 Rehashing the ALW vs Big H altercation 1:08:45 Is there anything you'd do differently? 1:10:08 Coed pickleball brings a new dynamic 1:12:33 If Willie was commissioner for the day 1:16:38 Will's special deal to play MLP and APP in 2025 Ben Padula 1:19:58 Zane nerds out with Real Clear Stats 1:25:23 Is one game to 11 too short? 1:30:33 Strategy changes for rally vs traditional scoring Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:34:37
• Zane Uncovers Never Before Seen Serve Rules w/ Samin Odhwani

  Major League Pickleball Commissioner Samin Odhwani is the special guest on a new PicklePod. Commish previews the opening of the 2025 season, explains the updates behind expanded distribution and owner-hosted events. Next, Brooklyn Pickleball Team GM, Josh Gartman, breaks down the name swap between the Brooklyn and the DC team. Gartman recaps his offseason moves and the reunion of some of his championship players. Finally, Zane did a deep dive on the MLP rulebook and discovered that new serve rules are active in Orlando. And that’s not all, new rules are in place for roster substitutions, home team advantages, and order of play. Pickleballs take 100 years to breakdown in a landfill. This new BioBall™ only takes 5 years, it lasts 5x longer on the court than anything else, and we all loved it in our play tests. Save 10% with code THEDINK https://komodopickleball.com/products/bioball?srsltid=AfmBOooBGMnny9yZ7LGDmm_kv2oPLvn3ZKbMUlJUXftTFVumY815CdJJ&sca_ref=8092923.JzF5RFN4VCnZ8y Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ Sadim Odhwani 0:00 Expanding MLP’s reach in 2025 5:20 Saturday and Sunday Showcase matches 8:01 Returning to where the bodies are buried 10:20 What surface are we playing on? 13:18 Breaking News: Samin announced as new MLP Commissioner 15:25 Love or hate the Carolina Hogs 18:15 Blind ranking pro sports commissioners 25:51 Samin steals Zane’s MLP legacy Add sound for transition at 28:50 and title Josh Gartman 28:50 Brooklyn PB Team GM Josh Gartman joins the pod 30:50 New York roots made the swap a no-brainer 32:45 Brooklyn adds Kawamoto and Newman in off-season 34:54 Blind ranking MLP GMs 39:55 ‘Fake News’ surrounding tennis vs pickleball 43:45 Andre Agassi to partner with ALW at US Open 51:20 Leigh Waters looking for another pro gold at US Open 52:47 Big drama matches at MLP Orlando 59:58 Serve rules get an overhaul before MLP season 1:01:34 Substitution rule changes - 2-point penalty 1:05:50 Tice rapid fire questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:13:38
• UPSETS AND SCANDALS: Legacy Park FRAUD, the Alleged Origins of Pickleball, and NC Open Recap

  Zane Navratil and Thomas Shields talk about the fraud allegations leveled against Legacy Park in Mesa, AZ, by the SEC and DOJ. Legacy Park was supposed to be a utopia for the sport-obsessed. It had hosted multiple APP Tour, PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events. Thomas then shares information he found in a book that claims that the Pritchard family were not the inventors of Pickleball. Instead, they took and modified the idea from a different political family on a nearby island. The original story goes that the Pritchard family, along with Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, developed the game and its rules on Bainbridge Island in 1965. Then, Zane and Thomas recap and react to the results of the PPA North Carolina Open from last weekend. Zane discusses ALW and other stars withdrawing due to the roll-out courts, and the two of them note how not a single #1 ranked player won gold. Finally, they are joined by Jacob Smith from DUPR to discuss the upcoming collegiate tournament they are hosting. Pickleballs take 100 years to breakdown in a landfill. This new BioBall™ only takes 5 years, it lasts 5x longer on the court than anything else, and we all loved it in our play tests. Save 10% with code THEDINK or click the link below LINK: https://komodopickleball.com/products/bioball?srsltid=AfmBOooBGMnny9yZ7LGDmm_kv2oPLvn3ZKbMUlJUXftTFVumY815CdJJ&sca_ref=8092923.JzF5RFN4VCnZ8y Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' free e-newsletter at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com - Follow us on IG: @thedinkpickleball -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:01:09
• A Gold Medal Podcast plus A New Replay System w/ Christian Alshon, Tyra Black, Parris Todd, and Jason Aspes

  Zane Navratil and Thomas Shields talk to Christian Alshon, Tyra Black, and Paris Todd about their most recent gold medal wins at the PPA Texas Open, Ben Johns’ calling out of yelling during matches, their goals for the coming year, and much more.  Christian Alshon is one of the fastest-rising stars in the world of Pickleball. His gold medal win at the PPA CIBC Texas Open was his second in a row. Overall he has 12 PPA medals and is ranked 9th in men’s doubles and 8th in men’s singles as of this recording. This was Tyra Black and Paris Todd’s first doubles gold together. After a tough semi-finals match against The Girlies, they took care of business in the finals and won the tournament. On their way to the finals, they did not lose a game. Finally, Zane and Thomas talk to Jason Apses about the new SpotON Review System that was used on the championship court at the Texas Open. Jason explains why it was used, how it works, and the overall goals for its use moving forward.  Pickleballs take 100 years to breakdown in a landfill. This new BioBall™ only takes 5 years, it lasts 5x longer on the court than anything else, and we all loved it in our play tests. Save 10% with code THEDINK https://komodopickleball.com/products... Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/  Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' free e-newsletter at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com   / thedinkpickleball   -Follow us on IG  -Continue the convo in our private FB Group:   / thedi.  . -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  1:26:26

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