The Paddle Company That Couldn't Pay Its Bills

This week, the pickleball world is dealing with a rare pro-level paddle ban, a brand-new foam-core paddle that's already generating serious buzz, and a podcast episode that's forcing the community to confront its own unwritten rules. Meanwhile, the pro tours keep rolling, the trade market is heating up, and the Greater Zion Cup is underway in the red rock desert of southern Utah.

It's a week that touches every corner of the sport — from the equipment arms race to the etiquette debates that happen at every public court in America. Whether you're upgrading your paddle, watching the pros, or just trying to figure out if it's okay to lob in rec play, we've got you covered.

Let's get into it.

PROTON PADDLES BANNED FROM PRO PLAY: The United Pickleball Association — the governing body overseeing both the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball — has banned all Proton pickleball paddles from professional competition, effective after the conclusion of the Greater Zion Cup on March 30, 2026. PPA CEO Connor Pardoe confirmed that Proton "failed to resolve its outstanding debts and is now in bad standing." The ban forces several sponsored pros to scramble for new equipment, and reports indicate Proton may owe significant sums to its own athletes. While the paddles remain on the USA Pickleball approved list for amateur play for now, that status is under review.

CRBN DROPS THE TRUFOAM BARRAGE: CRBN Pickleball has released the TruFoam Barrage, the third generation of its acclaimed TruFoam series, and the early reviews are glowing. The Barrage features a three-layer foam core with an EVA foam ring that creates a floating core for increased pop, an expanded sweet spot, and what CRBN calls "plow-through power." Available in four shapes at $279.99, it's the most technically ambitious paddle CRBN has ever built — and it's already selling out.

THE ETIQUETTE EPISODE EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT: Episode 163 of The Pickleball Studio podcast — titled "Pickleball Etiquette… Who's in the Wrong?" — dropped on March 25 and immediately sparked debate across the community. Hosts Chris and Aizec Olson tackle everything from unsolicited coaching and intentional body shots to the eternal question of whether lobbing in rec play is acceptable. If you've ever bitten your tongue on the court, this one's for you.

ALW DOMINATES AT NEWPORT BEACH OPEN: At the PPA SXY Newport Beach Open (March 2–8), Anna Leigh Waters continued her historic run, winning Women's Singles over Lea Jansen (11-2, 11-1) and pairing with Ben Johns to take Mixed Doubles. In a notable upset, Hunter Johnson edged Federico Staksrud (12-10, 11-9) for the Men's Singles title, while Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio captured Men's Doubles gold.

MLP TRADE WINDOW HEATS UP: Major League Pickleball's second trade window opened March 2 and has already produced blockbuster moves. The Atlanta Bouncers acquired Jessie Irvine from the Phoenix Flames, the LA Mad Drops landed Genie Bouchard from the Florida Smash, and a three-team deal on March 14 reshuffled rosters in Columbus, Miami, and Carolina. The league's growing trade market is starting to feel like a real professional sports ecosystem.

The UPA's decision to ban all Proton paddles from professional play is unprecedented in pickleball, and it has nothing to do with the paddles themselves. This isn't a performance or compliance issue — it's a financial one. According to the PPA's internal memo, Proton failed to meet its financial obligations to the tour and its athletes, placing the brand "in bad standing." The result is a blanket ban from all PPA Tour and MLP events, effective after the Greater Zion Cup concludes on March 30.

The immediate impact falls hardest on Proton's sponsored professionals, who must now find new paddle sponsors or purchase their own equipment before the next event. Reports suggest Proton owes money to several of its own athletes — a troubling sign for a brand that had been aggressively courting top-tier talent. The situation echoes the broader financial pressures we've been tracking across the pickleball industry: rapid expansion, aggressive spending, and the assumption that growth alone would solve the math.

For recreational players, the news is less immediately urgent but still worth watching. Proton paddles remain on the USA Pickleball approved equipment list for now, meaning they're still legal for amateur tournament play. But that status is reportedly under review. If you own a Proton paddle and play in sanctioned events, it's worth keeping an eye on any updates from USA Pickleball in the coming weeks.

The deeper story here is about accountability. As pickleball matures into a legitimate professional sport, the financial obligations between brands, tours, and athletes are becoming more complex — and the consequences of failing to meet them are becoming more public. The Proton ban is a warning shot: in this new era, you can't just make a good paddle. You have to run a good business.

CRBN has been one of the most innovative paddle companies in pickleball, and the TruFoam Barrage — the third iteration of their foam-core line — may be their most ambitious release yet. The original TruFoam Genesis introduced the concept of a floating foam core to the mass market; the Waves refined it. The Barrage takes the technology further with a three-layer foam construction that includes an EVA foam ring designed to increase pop and expand the effective sweet spot across the entire face.

The paddle is available in four shapes — the CRBN4 (hybrid), CRBN2 (square), CRBN1 (elongated with long handle), and CRBN3 (elongated) — all priced at $279.99. The CRBN4 and CRBN2 are currently in stock, while the elongated models are available for pre-order. Early reviews from The Kitchen Pickle and other paddle reviewers praise the Barrage for its combination of power and feel — the kind of paddle that rewards aggressive play without sacrificing touch at the kitchen line.

For players who have been curious about foam-core technology but hesitant to commit, the Barrage represents the most refined version of the concept available today. It's not cheap, but in a market where top-tier paddles routinely exceed $250, the Barrage delivers genuine innovation at a competitive price point. If you're in the market for an upgrade, this one deserves a serious look.

Every pickleball player has an opinion about court etiquette, and Episode 163 of The Pickleball Studio podcast just gave those opinions a platform. Hosts Chris and Aizec Olson presented a series of real-world scenarios and asked the question that starts more arguments than line calls: Who's in the wrong?

The scenarios they tackle are instantly recognizable to anyone who plays regularly. Is it acceptable to give unsolicited coaching to a stranger? What about intentionally targeting the weakest player in rec play? Is lobbing a legitimate strategy or an unspoken violation of the social contract? Should you call out someone's illegal serve, or is that a bridge too far? The Olsons don't shy away from the uncomfortable ones, either — including what to do when a friend group becomes a clique, or when someone shows up late and still expects a warmup.

What makes the episode compelling is that it doesn't pretend there are easy answers. Pickleball's culture is still being written in real time, and the tension between competitive play and community values is one of the sport's defining features. For the affluent player who takes the game seriously but also values the social experience, this episode is essential listening. Find it on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

01 — Sage Hill Inn & Spa, Kyle, Texas: Tucked into 88 acres of rolling Texas Hill Country just south of Austin, Sage Hill is a boutique luxury property that has gone all-in on pickleball. Four lighted courts, professional instruction through multi-day camps and private lessons, and a dedicated Pickleball Pavilion with a pro shop, bar, and 82-inch TV for watching playback. After your session, recover at the full-service spa, soak in the hillside hot tubs, or hike the property's private trails. Rooms start at approximately $379 per night — a remarkable value for this level of experience. If you're looking for a long-weekend pickleball retreat that feels genuinely exclusive without the corporate resort atmosphere, Sage Hill is the move.

Before your next session, try this drill that top coaches use to sharpen hand-eye coordination and reaction speed: stand at the kitchen line with your partner and rally two balls simultaneously. Start slow — one ball goes cross-court, the other goes down the line — and gradually increase the pace. The drill forces you to track multiple objects, make faster decisions, and develop the kind of peripheral awareness that translates directly into better hands battles during real play. Three minutes of this at the start of every session will do more for your reflexes than an hour of casual dinking. It's uncomfortable at first, which is exactly the point.

Tanner Tomassi — one of the most popular pickleball coaches on YouTube with 134K subscribers — just dropped a 10-minute video that's already at 51K views in less than a week. "6 Skills That Make You UNATTACKABLE in Pickleball" breaks down the positioning adjustments, paddle preparation habits, and court awareness techniques that make the best players nearly impossible to speed up on. If you've ever felt like opponents are constantly attacking you at the kitchen line, this video will show you exactly what to fix. Clear, actionable, and immediately applicable. Watch now →

THE PADDLE: Chorus Coda — All Foam Power — $174.99

Chorus Pickleball has been quietly building one of the most technically interesting paddle lines in the sport, and the Coda is their most ambitious creation yet. The headline feature is what Chorus calls "Treblefoam" — a triple-density foam core that layers three distinct materials to achieve something genuinely difficult: soft, predictable touch on dinks and drops, and explosive power when you swing through the ball. The center uses EPP foam for feel, a light EVA foam ring maximizes the EPP contact area, and a superlight PU foam edge unifies the entire construction. The result is a 16mm-thick, 7.9 oz hybrid (16.2" × 7.8") with a thermoformed unibody build and a soft carbon/fiberglass/soft carbon face — USA Pickleball approved at PBCoR 0.43.

At $174.99, the Coda is priced well below the flagship paddles from the major brands — and it performs like it shouldn't be. If you've been curious about foam-core technology but haven't wanted to spend $280–$330 to find out, the Coda is the most compelling entry point in the category right now. It also comes with a free paddle cover, which is a nice touch.

See you on the court,

The Court Report Team

Questions or feedback? [email protected]