International stars and rising Indian talent headline high-stakes bidding wars in Mumbai
Mumbai, September 08, 2025 – Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) concluded its much-anticipated Season 2 Pro & Challenger League Auction in Mumbai, cementing its place as Asia’s largest pickleball auction to date. With each franchise allocated a player budget of ₹66 lakh, the 10 participating teams collectively unlocked a potential spend of ₹6.6 crore, setting the stage for the sport’s next big leap in India.
The auction showcased the growing professionalism and popularity of pickleball, featuring intense bidding wars and strategic buys. International stars, seasoned veterans, and promising young Indian players all commanded attention, signaling a balanced mix of global experience and local talent.
Top Pro League Signings
1. Quang Duong (Vietnam) – ₹27 Lakh – Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors
2. Megan Fudge (USA) – ₹25.50 Lakh – Ahmedabad Olympians
3. Jack Munro (USA) – ₹25 Lakh – Jaipur Stallions
4. Bobbi Oshiro (USA) – ₹24.50 Lakh – Delhi Snipers
5. Roos Van Reek (Netherlands) – ₹23.50 Lakh – Hyderabad Vikings
Duong, a 19-year-old rising star, emerged as the highest bid of the evening, while 38-year-old veteran Megan Fudge brought invaluable international expertise to the league.
Top Challenger League Picks
1. Leah Tauber (India) – ₹5.2 Lakh – Delhi Snipers
2. Mihika Yadav (India) – ₹4.4 Lakh – Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors
3. Alex Emery (USA) – ₹4.2 Lakh – Ahmedabad Olympians
Indian Standouts Shine
Pro League: Harsh Mehta (₹21 Lakh, Chennai Cool Cats), Arjun Singh (₹8 Lakh, Nashik Ninjas), Aditya Ruhela (₹5 Lakh, Jaipur Stallions)
Challenger League: Mihika Yadav (₹4.4 Lakh, Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors), Aman Patel (₹4 Lakh, Jaipur Stallions), Tejas Gulati (₹3.7 Lakh, Coimbatore Super Smashers)
Auction Highlights
Pro League featured three player categories with base bids from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh.
Challenger League had two categories, with bids starting at ₹50,000 and going up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Each team had a ₹66 lakh budget, with ₹55 lakh earmarked for the Pro League and ₹11 lakh for the Challenger League.
All ten franchises—Ahmedabad Olympians, Bengaluru Blazers, Chennai Cool Cats, Coimbatore Super Smashers, Delhi Snipers, Hyderabad Vikings, Jaipur Stallions, Kolkata Kingz, Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, and Nashik Ninjas—actively participated.
Voices from the Auction
Hemal Jain, Chief Architect at Pickleball Growth, said: “The Season 2 auction was a huge moment for Asian pickleball. The aggressive bidding and valuations show the confidence franchises have in the sport’s future. This mix of international stars and Indian players lays the foundation for pickleball to become a mainstream professional sport in India.”
Filmmaker and Global Sports co-founder Shashank Khaitan added: “This auction highlights the incredible momentum pickleball has gained in India. The intensity of competition, the talent pool, and the commitment of teams point towards a sustainable sporting ecosystem. Season 2 will bring fans unmatched action and showcase pickleball’s growing appeal worldwide.”
About Global Sports Pickleball
Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) is pioneering the professionalization of pickleball in Asia, driving growth through structured leagues, grassroots development, and international collaborations. With Season 2, GSP is taking the sport to new heights by blending global expertise with Indian talent.