Anna Leigh Waters: Pioneering Pickleball's Future - Times Square Star & VaynerSports Powerhouse!
Anna Leigh Waters' Historic Rise, MLP Excitement, and the Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador Program
What a whirlwind few weeks it's been for pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters! At just 18 years old, she's not only dominating the courts but also making monumental strides off them, solidifying her status as a true icon of the sport.
Just recently, Anna Leigh, accompanied by her proud parents Stephen and Leigh, experienced a moment many can only dream of: seeing her incredible achievements highlighted on a digital billboard in the heart of Times Square, New York City! This awe-inspiring sight, which she shared with excitement on Instagram, perfectly captured the meteoric rise of pickleball and Anna Leigh's central role in its growth. "Is this even real?!? Pickleball has given me so much and now I can say I have been on a billboard in TIMES SQUARE NYC!" she shared with pride, a testament to the remarkable journey she's been on. She is, in fact, the first and only pickleball player to achieve such a prominent feature in Times Square, marking a truly historic moment for the sport.
But the excitement doesn't stop there. In a truly groundbreaking move that will further elevate her career and the sport as a whole, Anna Leigh Waters has officially joined VaynerSports! This partnership is a natural evolution of her relationship with Gary Vaynerchuk's organization, given her integral role with The New Jersey 5s - Major League Pickleball team. As part of VaynerSports, Anna Leigh will now have unparalleled opportunities to expand her brand, reach new audiences, and continue to inspire countless aspiring pickleball players. This isn't just an agency signing; it's a strategic alliance that will undoubtedly catapult Anna Leigh's influence to new heights, both on and off the court.
Anna Leigh Waters is not just a pickleball player; she's a trailblazer, a superstar, and now, with VaynerSports by her side, she's poised to pioneer what's possible in the world of professional pickleball. Get ready to witness even more greatness from this extraordinary athlete!
I've had the honor of watching her booming career for nearly 6 years and I don't know any other 18-year-old that has had the growth she has experienced, growing up on the court and pushing so hard. She earned more than $3 million in 2024. An entrepreneur's dream to have achieved what she has in such a short time, and this is just the beginning.
Also, check out a full interview with her and her mom Leigh on The Kitchen's Pickleballers podcast with Jared Paul and Roscoe Bellamy.
MLP Daytona Beach Heats Up! Catch Anna Leigh Waters & The NJ 5s Live This Weekend!
The excitement of Major League Pickleball is in full swing in Daytona Beach this weekend, and you won't want to miss it! After thrilling matches kicked off yesterday, June 5th, the action continues through Sunday, June 8th, at Pictona at Holly Hill.
I'm personally heading down today and will be there tomorrow to experience all the high-energy pickleball action. Major League Pickleball has always been one of my favorite pro pickleball formats; the team excitement genuinely gets pickleball enthusiasts pumped up! And here's the best part for fans of our newsletter's main feature: Anna Leigh Waters and her New Jersey 5s team will be competing on both Saturday and Sunday! It's an incredible opportunity to see the Times Square sensation and newest VaynerSports athlete in action live. The New Jersey 5s have consistently been one of the best teams at gaining fan love and are instrumental in growing the MLP brand.
While I'm there, make sure to follow along on Instagram at @pickleballinthesun for all the live updates from Major League Pickleball! You'll spot me wearing The Exclusive Socks of Pickleball in the Sun, OS1st, which are also the Official Sock of Major League Pickleball – keeping my feet happy while I enjoy the games!
If you're planning to be at Pictona at Holly Hill for any of the MLP Daytona Beach events, please reach out! I'd love to connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts.
For the full schedule and all the details on all of the MLP teams and their pro players, visit MajorLeaguePickleball.net. Watch it live all weekend on Pickleballtv.com.
Pickleball in the Sun Ambassadors: Kits Sent & Opportunities for Brands!
We're thrilled to announce that our curated kits have been sent to our Pickleball in the Sun Ambassadors across 12 cities! The inaugural @pickleballinthesun Ambassador Program kits are packed and ready to roll! 🤩 So much heart went into curating these boxes with incredible products from our ambassador program launch partners: @os1st, @trelleco, @joolapickleball, @franklinpickleball, @pickleball.magazine, @ivycutpickleball, @printatexusa, and @dealanddink.
Get ready, Miami, Austin, Tampa, Los Angeles, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Charlotte, New York City, Seattle, Chicago, and Atlanta! Who's excited?
What This Means for Brands: Local Impact & National Exposure!
This expanding ambassador program offers an incredible opportunity for brands looking to connect directly with a passionate and engaged pickleball audience. Our ambassadors are influential voices in their local communities, providing an authentic way to showcase your products and services to active players and enthusiasts. Visit PickleballintheSun.com to meet our Inaugural Ambassadors!
Brands interested in our Ambassador Program also will gain national exposure through features in our Pickleball Marketing Newsletter (just like this one!) and other national Pickleball in the Sun opportunities. We are so thrilled and excited to grow this program and continue to create new and unique activations that truly connect brands with the pickleball community.
If you're looking to get your brand in front of the pickleball community, both locally and nationally, and be a part of this exciting growth, we want to hear from you! To learn more about how to get your brand involved, please contact laura@pickleballinthesun.com.
