John McEnroe, Drew Brees Join USA Pickleball And Pickleball Pros to Prove How Quiet OWL Pickleball Paddles Are

First USA Pickleball Quiet Category-certified paddle reduces noise by 50 percent while raising the bar on paddle performance 

CHICAGO – OWL Sport recently unveiled the first USA Pickleball Quiet Category-certified paddle proven to reduce noise by 50 percent. Today, tennis legend John McEnroe and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees took to the court alongside USA Pickleball Chief Executive Officer Mike Nealy and pro players to showcase how quiet the OWL paddle technology is while demonstrating the paddle’s elite performance capabilities. 

“I think the OWL paddle technology is going to revolutionize the game of pickleball,” said John McEnroe, OWL Sport ambassador and 17-time Grand Slam tennis champion.  “Unlike me, it is quiet but like me the OWL really performs and you know how much I like to win!”

Pickleball has recently been the source of noise issues in sound-sensitive locations across the country given the distinct staccato ‘pop’ sound the ball makes on impact. USA Pickleball created the Quiet Category to reduce the sport’s sound output by recognizing pickleball products that help diminish acoustic output during play without negatively impacting performance. The OWL is the first paddle on the market that delivers a hertz level below 600 and a decibel level below 80, delivering a 50 percent reduction in total noise profile.

"As USA Pickleball continues to invest in Quiet Category options for our sport and community, we could not be more pleased to work with the OWL Sport team on the launch of their paddle, which marks the very first certified Quiet Category paddle on the market," said Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball Chief Executive Officer. "We appreciate this collaboration with OWL Sport as they launch a paddle that allows for both a reduced acoustic footprint and excellent performance in competition. This marks an exciting milestone in our continued efforts to provide acoustics-related solutions to sound-sensitive locations." 

To help prove the sound reduction to pickleball enthusiasts, OWL Sport popped up a court in a place synonymous with being quiet - the Refectory at Chelsea Square, originally built to house the General Theological Seminary - to prove that the OWL paddle can be used to play whenever, wherever. McEnroe, Brees, and Nealy dinked around with pickleball pros and players of all levels highlighting the various features of the the OWL paddle, including its vibration dampening layers for arm and elbow comfort, balanced ‘anti-head heavy’ construction for effortless maneuverability and proprietary Acoustene™ sheath. While McEnroe and Brees might be known for their athletic abilities and accolades in other sports, the pickleball craze is spreading to all corners of the globe and converting professional athletes everywhere to elite pickleball players. 

“It’s no secret I am an avid fan of pickleball and a player myself. Being newly acquainted with the OWL paddle, I can say I’ve really enjoyed playing with it” said Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP quarterback, Drew Brees. “It’s a silent killer on the court, and I highly recommend it for players of all skill levels. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the difference it makes.”

Not only is the OWL paddle receiving attention for its performance capabilities and ability to silence the competition while solving the noise issue, it's also being lauded for its sleek packaging and unique customer purchasing experience (with more exciting products including apparel to come). 

“I’m amazed at how well the OWL paddle plays - I couldn’t believe the shots I was able to hit. It feels so comfortable on my arm and my elbow, giving me the ability to play better and longer.” said Jessica Warren, former D1 tennis player and top APP pro player. “For me as a pickleball pro, I’m not as concerned about noise. I play with the OWL because it is the best playing paddle I’ve ever hit. I can confidently say that anyone who plays with the OWL will instantly improve their game.”

The OWL paddles are now available for order at owlpaddle.com, and players (and bystanders) should expect to see more rules and regulations set in place by HOAs and parks mandating their use. The OWL paddles are available in four SKUs to meet all players' needs. 

For more information on OWL Sport or to order the OWL paddle, visit owlpaddle.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. 

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ABOUT OWL SPORT

OWL Sport was created by a group of people who had a problem to solve: they wanted to play pickleball when they wanted, where they wanted and without having to worry about noise complaints. Much like nature has created the perfect predator of the skies, OWL’s unmatched team of engineers have perfected an elite version of the pickleball paddle that not only reduces sound output by 50%, but also provides players with a best-in-industry performance paddle for all skill levels. OWL paddles are currently the only pickleball paddles on the market that are USA Pickleball Quiet category-compliant. OWL Sport plans to continue its advancement of the racket sports industry through a relentless and meticulous commitment to innovation and superior playability. For more information, visit owlsport.com. 

ABOUT USA PICKLEBALL

USA Pickleball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. Its mission is to promote the development and growth of the sport while sanctioning events and providing annual members with premier tournaments, educational opportunities, player rankings, official rules and other exclusive benefits. USA Pickleball is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that is governed and operated by a Board of Directors and a national office staff, who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued expansion of the sport.

OWL SPORT MEDIA CONTACT:

Taryn Parker
taryn.parker@spoolmarketing.com

USA PICKLEBALL MEDIA CONTACT:

Melissa Zhang
mzhang@usapickleball.org