LOTTO® Launches Pickleball Collection at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Introduces Brooklyn Aces Star Pablo Tellez as Brand Ambassador
- by Lotto Sport
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- July 10, 2024
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- 3 min read
NEW YORK, NY – July 10, 2024 – WHP Global, owner of the LOTTO® brand, announced today the launch of LOTTO’s first U.S. pickleball collection with retailer DICK’S Sporting Goods. Tied to the announcement, Major League Pickleball and PPA Tour star Pablo Tellez of the Brooklyn Aces joins LOTTO as its newest professional pickleball ambassador in the United States.
Expanding from its well-known soccer and tennis collections, LOTTO’s new pickleball line includes top-quality equipment and footwear for both men and women. Pablo Tellez, a top-ranked MLP player recently traded from the Texas Ranchers to the Brooklyn Aces, adds his name to LOTTO’s impressive roster of over 300 athletes globally. DICK’S Sporting Goods serves as the U.S. anchor retail partner for LOTTO’s pickleball products, now available in select DICK’S stores nationwide and online at dicks.com/Lotto
The LOTTO pickleball collection at DICK’S features a variety of paddles including the ULTIMO Pro (14mm & 16mm), Ultimo (14mm & 16mm), and Arco (16mm), with retail pricing ranging from $150 to $250. Additionally, the collection showcases the Mirage and Raptor footwear lines retailing between $70 and $150.
“Having the chance to represent a brand like LOTTO with such a long-standing heritage in sports is an amazing opportunity,” said new LOTTO ambassador and Major League Pickleball star Pablo Tellez. “I have never worn more comfortable footwear – LOTTO’s shoes really help me compete at my highest level. I’ve noticed since joining LOTTO a new comfort level on the court and the LOTTO Ultimo Pickleball Paddle has taken my game to the next level.”
“Adding Pablo Tellez to our roster of pro athletes is a strategic move as we build a presence in pickleball – the fastest growing participation sport in the U.S.,” said Jameel Spencer, Chief Marketing Officer, Fashion & Athletic Verticals at WHP Global. “With our pickleball collection now at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores and online, we are applying the same meticulous approach and attention to detail that has made LOTTO world-renowned for innovation and performance in footwear and apparel for over 50 years.”
Effy Zinkin, COO at WHP Global, added, “We are enjoying tremendous success with our soccer and tennis lines at DICK’S Sporting Goods, and we are excited to strengthen our partnership with the leading sporting goods retailer as we introduce our innovative pickleball collection to a wider audience. This collaboration underscores our commitment and strategic vision for growing the LOTTO brand in emerging sports categories like pickleball.”
Alongside Pablo Tellez, LOTTO welcomes former tennis player Jhonnatan Medina Alvarez as a brand ambassador. Jhonnatan, now a pickleball player and private pickleball and tennis coach, brings three decades of experience in tennis and pickleball.
Tellez and Medina Alvarez join a stellar group of LOTTO athlete partners in the U.S., including USWNT and Seattle Reign FC star defender Sofia Huerta, St. Louis CITY SC defender Tim Parker, and FOX Sports host and former MLS and U.S. Men’s National Team star Stu Holden.
In June, LOTTO announced a strategic partnership with the Brooklyn Aces joining an ownership group that includes Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Drake, Michael B. Jordan and others. LOTTO became the first athletic brand to co-own a professional pickleball team and is now the team’s official apparel sponsor with branding integrated into the Brooklyn Aces logo and on player apparel.
For more information visit dicks.com/Lotto and follow LOTTO on Instagram at @LottoSportUS.