Lauren Hirsch

Pickleball players in Central Park in New York, June 17, 2023. Pickleball is everywhere, and “Paddleball Paul” is making his last stand on the handball courts of Central Park. It’s not going very well. (Lanna Apisukh/The New York Times)

Pickleball went pro. Can it profit?

As Washington's state sport takes over the nation's minds and courts, investors are pouncing to turn a favorite casual game into a massive professional sport.