Alexis Ohanian on why he didn't invest in pickleball

Key Concepts:

• Investing in sports
• Women's soccer (NWSL)
• Pickleball/Padel
• Free market of attention
• Aspirational energy in sports
• State of investing in women's sports in 2020

Investment Decisions: Pickleball vs. Women's Soccer

The speaker discusses their decision to pass on investing in professional pickleball despite the numerous pitches they received around the same time they were starting Angel City (a women's soccer team). They contrast this with their advocacy for investing in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League).

Arguments Against Pickleball Investment:

• Hobby vs. Professional Sport: The speaker views pickleball as a great hobby and exercise but questions its viability as a compelling professional sport.
• Lack of Aspirational Energy: The speaker argues that pickleball lacks the "aspirational energy" that draws viewers to professional sports. The qualities that make it accessible as a hobby (easy to play) detract from its appeal as a high-performance spectacle.
• Viral Visibility: A key point is the absence of viral pickleball highlights. The speaker states, "I have yet to see a pickle ball highlight go viral in my feed," suggesting a lack of widespread public interest and attention.
• Free Market of Attention: The speaker believes that the "free market of attention" hasn't validated pickleball as a must-watch sport.

Arguments for Women's Soccer Investment:

• Proven Popularity: The speaker emphasizes that women's soccer is already "the most popular thing in the United States of America."
• American Dominance: They highlight the consistent success and global reputation of the American women's soccer team, stating they "have been the best for decades."
• Easy Sell: The speaker argues that investing in women's soccer should be an easy decision, given its established popularity and the dominance of the American team. "This is not a hard sell."
• Indictment of Investing in Women's Sports: The speaker views the preference for pickleball investments over women's soccer as "sort of an indictment of the state of investing in women's sports in 2020."

Notable Quotes:

• "Guys, you will make so much more money if you just buy a team in the NWSL. trust me."
• "Listen, women's soccer is the most popular thing in the United States of America."
• "I have yet to see a pickle ball highlight go viral in my feed."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• NWSL (National Women's Soccer League): The professional women's soccer league in the United States.
• Angel City: A specific women's soccer team the speaker was involved in starting.
• Free Market of Attention: The idea that public interest and viewership are driven by what captures people's attention organically.
• Aspirational Energy: The quality of a sport that inspires viewers to strive for excellence.

Logical Connections:

The speaker uses the contrast between pickleball and women's soccer to illustrate a perceived undervaluation of women's sports investments. The lack of viral attention for pickleball is presented as evidence against its potential as a major professional sport, while the established popularity and success of women's soccer are presented as strong arguments for investment.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker argues that in 2020, investors were overlooking a proven and popular asset (women's soccer) in favor of a trendier but less established sport (pickleball). This decision, in the speaker's view, reflects a broader issue of undervaluing women's sports despite their potential for financial success and cultural impact. The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering the "free market of attention" and the "aspirational energy" of a sport when making investment decisions.