Anna Leigh Waters: Pickleball's GOAT

From Hurricane Evacuation to Global Phenom

In 2017, while fleeing Hurricane Irma with her family to Pennsylvania, 10-year-old Anna Leigh Waters dismissed pickleball as an 'old person's sport.' Little did she know, this chance encounter would ignite a trajectory towards becoming the undisputed 'Greatest of All Time' in the world's fastest-growing sport. Just one year later, she was competing professionally alongside her mother, Leigh. By 14, she held the #1 women's ranking in pickleball.

Now, at 18, Waters is a dominant force atop the PPA Tour rankings and the highest-paid female player in pickleball. Her on-court prowess is matched only by her off-court business acumen, earning her a seven-figure annual income that rivals top tennis stars.

A Business Powerhouse: Dominating On and Off the Court

Waters isn't just winning tournaments; she's building an empire. Managed by VaynerSports (a powerhouse agency with NFL, MLB, and NBA clients), her portfolio reads like a who's who of major brands. Recent high-profile partnerships include:

• Delta
• DoorDash (title sponsor of Major League Pickleball)
• Ulta Beauty (a personal passion project, stemming from her lifelong use of their products)
• U By Kotex
• Pilla (eyewear)
• RXBar

"We're very selective in who I decide to partner with," Waters emphasizes. "We really want to make sure that it's a product, or something, that I love. Your audience can tell what's natural and what you're using, versus when you're just taking a check and doing social media posts."

The Numbers Behind the Phenom

Waters' earning potential is staggering. Her annual off-court income is reported to be in the mid-seven figures, comparable to a top-ranked WTA player. Her guaranteed salary from the United Pickleball Association (UPA) exceeds $2 million annually, tying her with Ben Johns as the highest-paid player in the association. UPA CEO Connor Pardoe notes, "Anna Leigh is definitely one of those people [stars] for us," highlighting her crucial role in the league's growth and sponsor appeal.

"I see her as a unique generational talent. She has this trifecta of age, dominance and marketability on her side."

Her manager, Ryan Harwood, who also co-owns her team (the New Jersey 5s) and advises VaynerSports, stresses her unique position: "There's a big drop-off from [rank] 1 to No. 2... Those five players all have solid earning power, but there's massive drop-offs between them." Waters, as the undisputed #1, operates in a league of her own.

Building the Future: Content Creation and Beyond

Waters' ambitions extend beyond competition and traditional endorsements. She's actively exploring equity investments in pickleball-focused companies and is particularly focused on content creation. Earlier this year, she made a high-profile appearance on the ESPYs red carpet, signaling her growing presence in mainstream sports culture. She's also set to headline the fourth edition of the Pickleball Slam showcase in April alongside tennis legends Andre Agassi and James Blake.

With her lucrative apparel (Fila) and paddle (Paddletek) deals set to expire at the end of the year, Waters is poised for even greater financial success. "We're having some interesting conversations with a lot of different, exciting companies," she states. "I don't think there's a wrong choice. Right now, I'm just keeping an open mind."

As pickleball continues its explosive growth, Anna Leigh Waters stands as its most recognizable and marketable star. She's not just playing the game; she's shaping its future, one partnership, one investment, and one electrifying point at a time.