Anna Leigh Waters Just Signed With Franklin — And It's the Biggest Deal in Pickleball History

When the most dominant player in pickleball history changes paddles, the entire sport pays attention. And that's exactly what happened when Anna Leigh Waters officially ended her seven-year partnership with Paddletek and inked a long-term, multi-million-dollar deal with Franklin Pickleball to kick off 2026.

This isn't just a gear story. It's a cultural moment for the sport — and one that tells us a lot about where professional pickleball is headed.

Seven Years, Then Goodbye

Anna Leigh Waters and Paddletek had one of the most storied sponsorship relationships in the game. She grew up playing with their paddles, racked up an absurd number of professional titles with them, and became the face of the brand for years. But as her star kept rising — and the sport's commercial landscape kept expanding — something had to give.

The split was mutual. Both Paddletek and Waters signaled the end of their partnership on social media as her contract officially expired on December 31, 2025. No drama, no hard feelings — just two parties who had outgrown each other, at least contractually speaking.

Enter Franklin: A Deal Worth Millions

What came next sent shockwaves through the industry. Franklin Pickleball — already a major player in the equipment space — landed the signature of the sport's biggest name in what is rumored to be one of the most lucrative deals in pickleball history, reportedly worth millions of dollars.

But this isn't just about slapping her name on an existing paddle. As part of the agreement, Waters will be actively involved in designing a signature line of paddles, bags, and accessories for Franklin. That's a huge deal — it means her input goes into the actual product development, not just the marketing. For serious players who want to play like ALW, they'll literally be able to pick up a paddle she helped design from the ground up.

What This Means for the Equipment Game

The ripple effects of this signing are massive. For Franklin, landing Waters is a signal to the entire market — they're playing for keeps, they have the budget to compete with the biggest names in the industry, and they're betting big on the sport's continued growth.

For pickleball as a whole, it's another sign that the business side of the sport has arrived in a serious way. Multi-million dollar sponsorships. Signature product lines. Brand deals that rival what you'd see in tennis or golf. The days of pro pickleball being a scrappy, grassroots affair are officially over.

And for fans and recreational players? Keep your eyes on what Franklin releases under the ALW signature line. If she's putting her name and her expertise into those products, you can bet they're going to be worth a very close look.