The world's top pickleball player earns $2.5 million annually, a tenfold increase from 2021, but he says they haven't reached the top yet.

In his first year as a professional pickleball player, Ben Johns struggled financially.

He earns $2.5 million in pickleball salary this year, and also has additional income from endorsement deals and sponsorship contracts, as he tells CNBC Make It.

Johns, 25, holds the No. 1 rank in men's doubles and mixed doubles in the Professional Pickleball Association Tour. He has maintained this position for the past three years, winning over 120 titles and 21 triple crowns, making him the most successful male player in pickleball history.

Over the past three years, John's payouts have grown significantly due to the influx of private equity investments, wealthy team owners, bigger sponsors, and media deals in America's fastest-growing sport. In 2021, John made $250,000, which means his salary has increased tenfold since then.

In 2018, he earned about $50,000 from pickleball, which he mostly gained from winning prizes at national tournaments, not an annual salary.

"Johns states that they haven't reached the top yet, but believes there is still an upward trend."

The rise of professional pickleball

In February, the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball joined forces under the Unified Pickleball Association.

The pickleball league received a $75 million investment from SC Holdings and team owners, resulting in a 250% increase in annual player payouts this year, compared to 2023.

The UPA declared in April that it would host future events in India, a move signaling its global ambition and planned international expansion. This increased exposure could lead to player payouts being funded more heavily through sponsorships and media deals.

Johns, who began playing pickleball at age 17, has a lifetime sponsorship contract with Joola Pickleball and other deals with Jigsaw Health, Pickleball Galaxy, and Life Time fitness. The exact amount of money he earns from these arrangements is unknown.

How Johns is using his money

John claims to be a passionate investor, allocating a portion of his funds into the stock market, startups, and cryptocurrency.

"He says, "I love venture capital and investing and all the money management stuff. So, I talk to as many people as I can in the space and get advice from them.""

His portfolio includes both pickleball-related ventures and an artificial intelligence company, and he has been interested in cryptocurrency for at least three years, having chosen to receive a portion of his prize money in Ethereum in 2021.

John has had the chance to play with and against numerous celebrities and CEOs through pickleball, he states. His top three dream opponents are Elon Musk of Tesla, Novak Djokovic of tennis, and Kevin Hart of comedy.

John drives a Tesla with a bright orange wrap and says his ultimate dream is to play with Musk.

Johns states that he doesn't have any idols, but he is a huge fan of only one person.

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