December 10, 2025

The Hidden World of Counterfeit Pickleball Paddles

37 minutes

This week, Zane is joined by The Dink’s own Alex Weaver for a deep-dive into one of the wildest and fastest-growing problems in pickleball: counterfeit paddles flooding the market.

You’ve seen them on T-Mu, Facebook Marketplace, maybe even at your local rec courts… but the scale of the problem is WAY bigger than most players realize.

Alex breaks down:

- How knockoff brands are copying top paddles within weeks of release

- Why major companies are fighting regulatory “whack-a-mole” to get fakes removed

- How players are getting tricked by manipulated Google listings and fake reviews

- The real impact on innovation, quality, and the future of the sport

- What USAP and UPAA are (finally) preparing to do about it

- Why $30 “bargain paddles” often cost you more in the long run

Whether you’re shopping for a holiday gift, worried about getting duped, or just fascinated by the business side of the game, this is one of our most informative deep dives yet.

👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world.

There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.

Maui Nui Venison has more protein per calorie than just about anything else out there, and it tastes unreal. Order your Ohana Reserve Box today and receive a free 12-pack of jerky sticks http://mauinuivenison.com/THEDINK

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

Reach out to Alex at [email protected]

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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

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-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

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0:00 Intro

3:35 The counterfeit paddle epidemic

9:15 How can you spot a knockoff?

12:47 Does this happen in other sports?

19:04 It’s a big problem for the brands

23:11 The governing bodies’ role

26:35 It’s harder to stop players who want knockoffs

27:55 The ‘seal’ is printed on illegal paddles

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By Thomas Shields, Zane Navratil

4.6

129129 ratings

December 10, 2025

The Hidden World of Counterfeit Pickleball Paddles

37 minutes

This week, Zane is joined by The Dink’s own Alex Weaver for a deep-dive into one of the wildest and fastest-growing problems in pickleball: counterfeit paddles flooding the market.

You’ve seen them on T-Mu, Facebook Marketplace, maybe even at your local rec courts… but the scale of the problem is WAY bigger than most players realize.

Alex breaks down:

- How knockoff brands are copying top paddles within weeks of release

- Why major companies are fighting regulatory “whack-a-mole” to get fakes removed

- How players are getting tricked by manipulated Google listings and fake reviews

- The real impact on innovation, quality, and the future of the sport

- What USAP and UPAA are (finally) preparing to do about it

- Why $30 “bargain paddles” often cost you more in the long run

Whether you’re shopping for a holiday gift, worried about getting duped, or just fascinated by the business side of the game, this is one of our most informative deep dives yet.

👉 Subscribe for new episodes every week and stay plugged into the fastest-growing sport in the world.

There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give Blue Cannatine a try at https://troscriptions.com/DINK or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order.

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

Reach out to Alex at [email protected]

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

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