Collier County’s Tourist Development Council unanimously recommended the county spend $2.09 million in tourist-development tax funds to extend a sponsorship agreement and build six more covered U.S. Pickleball Open Championships courts.
The TDC on Aug. 20 recommended spending $1.05 million over seven years to extend Spirit Promotions’ agreement for the 2026-2032 championships and up to $1 million for a new sound system at East Naples Community Park and six championship courts covered by a waterproof canopy that also will house the U.S. Open Pickleball Academy. Spirit Promotions will match the $1 million capital improvements payment.
The vote includes spending up to $40,000 for an infrastructure project study, which is required by the state to show a tourism benefit.
“The existing canopy is not rainproof, but it does provide shade,” Mike Dee, co-owner and manager of Spirit Promotions, told the TDC. “It is problematic from a television perspective. Two years ago, we had our live TV time rained out during the event, so the waterproof canopy … will give us certainty.”
Pickleball centers are increasing nationwide, Dee said, adding, “This is a sport that drives economic value, so we’ve got to invest. … A private-public partnership, I think, is the right solution.”
The recommendation will go to the Board of County Commissioners and requires a supermajority vote, four of five commissioners.
In January, commissioners renewed the contract for just one year, not five, agreeing to $345,000 in 2025, and asked it to reduce its reliance on tourist development taxes. Spirit Promotions’ long-term strategy includes payments that decline $50,000 yearly, from $300,000 in 2026 to $50,000 in 2031, with no funding in 2032. It also developed a master plan with new facilities and took over maintenance of all 64 pickleball courts.
This year’s championship drew 50,000 attendees, with 40% from outside Collier, a 22% increase over last year, said Tourism Director Jay Tusa, who said the April championship’s economic impact totaled $12 million, with average daily revenue increasing 18.68% over 2023 and revenue per available room jumping 18.51%.
Dee pointed out the direct economic impact doesn’t include residual impact on the service industry, employees and others who benefit from jobs and visitor spending. The academy’s goal is to increase the U.S. Open Pickleball brand and promote it as the nation’s premier pickleball center, he said, adding that they plan to teach about 500 players monthly during season and 1,000 offseason, April to December, due to fewer local residents using courts.
