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Quang Duong, one of the world’s top young pickleball stars, has always stirred conversation. In July 2025, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) made headlines by cutting ties with Duong, citing “multiple and repeated violations” of his contract. This wasn’t just another roster shakeup—it raised urgent questions about athlete rights, league authority, and the growing pains of a sport trying to go global.
How did such a marketable player, ranked #6 on the PPA Tour and #1 in Asia, lose a contract reportedly worth $250,000 to $300,000 a year? The fallout is already reshaping teams and sparking debate about the sport’s rules and direction. If pickleball wants to keep its momentum, everyone from players to fans needs to pay attention.
Photo by Alena Darmel
The league’s contract with Duong was crystal clear about player exclusivity. Athletes are forbidden from playing in outside tournaments or promotional events without approval. From late 2024 through mid-2025, Duong broke those terms several times—ultimately putting him on a collision course with league leaders.
First, he participated in non-sanctioned international tournaments in Vietnam. He also missed key league events with his Major League Pickleball (MLP) team, the LA Mad Drops, without advance permission. The UPA tried to manage the situation through a series of warnings, meetings, and a hefty $50,000 fine. Each step signaled how seriously the UPA takes contract integrity.
Despite those interventions, Duong kept to his own schedule abroad. Finally, after witnessing “continued and consistent misrepresentations” and additional breaches, the UPA acted decisively. His contract was voided effective immediately, banning him from participating further in PPA and MLP events.
Duong’s star has risen fastest in Vietnam, where he’s become a true ambassador for pickleball. Unlike other top pros, he’s invested significant time in Asia, especially hosting clinics, opening pickleball facilities, and playing in local tournaments. He inked lucrative endorsement deals with Vietnamese equipment and clothing brands, further boosting his profile there.
But these same activities, while great for his personal brand and for pickleball’s international presence, conflicted directly with the UPA’s strict exclusivity terms. By competing in unsanctioned events and promoting outside brands, Duong risked his standing and income at home.
The UPA wasn’t quiet about its process. Public statements referenced “multiple attempts” to work with Duong, including private meetings, written warnings, and steep financial penalties. Before the final termination, Duong was suspended from at least two major events and fined a whopping $50,000 for previous violations—one of the largest fines in pro pickleball history.
League sources stressed the need for consequences as a deterrent. Their argument: with contract values climbing due to the sport’s surging popularity, they can’t let any player set their own terms. “We can’t have our athletes running roughshod over the league,” as one pro put it.
Ultimately, the UPA cited fairness, consistency, and integrity in their decision. They claim these values matter not just to the business, but to the sport’s long-term credibility.
Duong’s contract saga is more than just a personal setback. It’s a case study on how a fast-growing sport struggles to balance control with innovation and expansion—especially across borders.
The LA Mad Drops weren’t just any team; they were considered contenders for this season’s top spot. Duong’s sudden exit forced the team to scramble, losing a proven winner right before pivotal tournaments. They suffered a surprising upset soon after, hinting at the broader impact of losing a core player at the height of the season.
It’s not only about replacing on-court talent. Teams rely on chemistry, shared routines, and precise roles. Losing someone midyear can ripple through strategies, partnerships, and morale—especially when playoff hopes are on the line.
What’s missing from this debate? A unified voice for the athletes.
Right now, pro pickleball lacks a players’ union like those in the NBA, MLB, or NFL. This gap means players can’t collectively negotiate contract terms, appeal penalties, or push back on league rules. Instead, they’re subject to decisions made unilaterally by administrators, often with little transparency.
Many in the pickleball world argue that a formal union would help protect player interests, ensure fair dispute processes, and prevent abrupt contract endings—just like we’ve seen with Duong.
Pickleball’s future is international, yet situations like Duong’s highlight a tension at the heart of its growth. Leagues want to control the product to keep standards high, but this can stifle athletes working to build the sport abroad.
Equipment controversies—such as bans on popular new paddles due to vague or shifting standards—add fuel to the fire. Critics claim the league sometimes plays favorites or puts its own interests before open competition.
Without room for athletes to build brands and promote pickleball around the world, the sport risks stalling out just as it finds its feet on the global stage. Growing pains like these, if left unchecked, could make it harder to attract and keep top talent.
Quang Duong’s termination is a wake-up call for pickleball’s future. The UPA’s tough stand on exclusivity underlines the challenge of balancing league authority with the ambitions of modern athletes. While league rules are crucial for fair play and business stability, they shouldn’t block innovation or the sport’s worldwide reach.
Going forward, pickleball will need to find common ground between management and players. Establishing a strong, independent players’ association could be a first step. As Duong recalibrates his career, his story should push everyone—league, players, and fans—to rethink how the sport grows and governs itself.
Professional pickleball is at the crossroads. Whether it becomes a global powerhouse or a cautionary tale will depend on how leaders, teams, and stars navigate conflicts like this one. Healthy competition, athlete voice, and smart rules are all needed to keep pickleball fun, fair, and growing fast.