JOOLA Pickleball Paddle Settlement: Deadline Is Approaching—Claim Up to $300 Per Gen 3 Paddle
JOOLA agreed to a $790,000 settlement resolving class action lawsuits alleging the company falsely advertised its Gen 3 pickleball paddles as USA Pickleball Association-approved when they weren’t. Over 17,000 US residents who currently own Gen 3 paddles can claim $300 cash with proof of purchase or a $150 JOOLA gift code without proof—but must return their paddle and file by December 15, 2025. Final approval hearing is January 27, 2026.
What Is the JOOLA Pickleball Paddle Settlement About?
Sport Squad, Inc. (doing business as JOOLA) faces two consolidated class action lawsuits alleging false advertising. Plaintiffs claimed JOOLA marketed its premium Gen 3 pickleball paddles—priced between $235 and $279.95—as USA Pickleball Association (USAP) approved when the approval was revoked.
The Timeline:
- November 2023: JOOLA’s Gen 3 paddles received USAP approval
- May 16, 2024: USAP removed Gen 3 paddles from approved list after JOOLA admitted submitting incorrect paddles for certification due to an “administrative error”
- June 5, 2024: Class action lawsuit filed (Matus v. Sport Squad, Inc., Case No. 0:24-cv-60954-DSL)
- August 19, 2025: Court granted preliminary approval to settlement
- December 15, 2025: Claim deadline
- January 27, 2026: Final approval hearing scheduled
JOOLA denies all wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid litigation costs. The court has made no determination of liability.
Who Can Join the JOOLA Settlement?
You qualify if ALL apply:
- You reside in the United States
- You currently own and possess a JOOLA Gen 3 paddle
- You did NOT accept JOOLA’s prior offer to return your paddle (unless you own multiple and kept at least one)
Excluded: JOOLA employees, officers, directors, affiliates, and authorized retailers.
Qualifying Gen 3 Models:
- Tyson McGuffin Magnus 3 (14mm and 16mm)
- Collin Johns Scorpeus 3 16mm
- Anna Bright Scorpeus 3 14mm
- Simone Jardim Hyperion 3 16mm
- Ben Johns Hyperion 3 (14mm and 16mm)
- Ben Johns Perseus 3 (14mm and 16mm)
The settlement covers over 17,000 class members nationwide.
What Are the Allegations Against JOOLA?
Plaintiffs alleged JOOLA engaged in a “quintessential bait and switch scheme” by:
False Advertising: Continuing to sell and market Gen 3 paddles with “USA Pickleball Approved” designation imprinted on products after USAP revoked approval on May 16, 2024.
Deceptive Marketing: Submitting paddles to USAP that defendants knew would be approved, then allegedly manufacturing different paddles for sale. JOOLA claimed an “administrative error” led them to submit incorrect paddles for certification.
Consumer Harm: The de-certification “sent shockwaves through the pickleball community,” according to the lawsuit. Players registered for sanctioned tournaments discovered their expensive JOOLA paddles were suddenly illegal for competition.
Unfair Competition: Attempting to monopolize the pickleball market by deceiving consumers about tournament-legal equipment.
The lawsuit emphasized that without USAP approval, Gen 3 paddles cannot be used in sanctioned or non-sanctioned professional or amateur USA Pickleball tournaments in the United States.
Settlement Benefits: How Much Can You Get?
Category 1: $300 Cash Refund
- Requirement: Proof of purchase from authorized JOOLA retailer
- Must return paddle
- Payment: Cash refund per qualifying paddle
Category 2: $150 JOOLA Gift Code
- Requirement: No proof of purchase needed
- Must return paddle
- Payment: One-time gift code per qualifying paddle for use on www.joola.com
Multiple Paddles: You can claim one or more paddles in one or more categories. Submit separate claim forms for each paddle.
Total Settlement Fund: $790,000
- Up to $790,000 for attorneys’ fees and expenses
- $20,000 total for two named plaintiffs ($10,000 each, paid from attorneys’ fees)
- Remainder distributed to class members
How to File a JOOLA Settlement Claim
Step 1: Obtain Class Member ID Call settlement administrator at (833) 621-6134 or check your email if you received notice. You need a separate Class Member ID for each paddle.
Step 2: Submit Claim Form File online at www.SportSquadPaddleSettlement.com or mail to: Matus v. Sport Squad c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC P.O. Box 225391 New York, NY 10150-5391
Step 3: Return Your Paddle After approval, JOOLA sends prepaid FedEx label via email. Take paddle to any FedEx location. FedEx packages and ships it. One paddle per envelope. No condition requirements.
DEADLINE: December 15, 2025 (online submission or postmarked by mail)
Critical Deadlines
- Claim Deadline: December 15, 2025
- Opt-Out Deadline: December 15, 2025
- Objection Deadline: December 15, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: January 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Payment Timeline: Benefits distributed within 30-90 days after final approval and resolution of any appeals.
JOOLA’s Separate $200 Million Lawsuit Against USA Pickleball
While JOOLA settled consumer claims, the company is simultaneously suing USA Pickleball for $200 million in separate litigation filed in Maryland federal court on June 12, 2024.
JOOLA’s Claims Against USAP:
- USAP violated its own guidelines by not honoring the 180-day “sunsetting period” allowing manufacturers six months to sell approved paddles before de-listing
- The immediate de-listing caused $100 million in compensatory damages plus $100 million in punitive damages
- USAP’s own equipment guidelines state approved paddles cannot be decertified until after 18 months notice
USAP’s Counterclaim (Filed April 18, 2025): USA Pickleball filed aggressive counterclaims alleging JOOLA knowingly submitted prototype paddles for approval, then manufactured different paddles for sale—a deliberate “bait and switch” scheme.
Current Status: Case remains in early stages. Judge Paula Xinis denied USAP’s motion to dismiss on February 3, 2025. Discovery ongoing. No trial date set.
The two lawsuits create contradictory narratives: consumers claim JOOLA deceived them about approval status, while JOOLA claims USAP wrongfully de-listed legitimate products.
Similar Product Liability Settlements
Yonex Badminton Rackets Settlement (2023): $2.75 million for false “Made in Japan” claims. Class members received $25-$150 per racket.
Wilson Football Deflation Settlement (2020): Undisclosed amount for deflating footballs. Gift codes issued.
Prince Tennis Racket Settlement (2019): $400,000 for false advertising about racket technology.
Sporting Equipment Trends: Courts increasingly scrutinize false advertising in sporting goods, particularly claims about professional approval or competition legality. Settlements typically range from hundreds to low thousands per product depending on original purchase price.
The JOOLA settlement’s $300 maximum payout represents approximately 107% of the lowest retail price ($279.95), making it relatively generous compared to typical sporting equipment settlements that average 25-50% of purchase price.
Your Options as a Class Member
Option 1: Do Nothing You receive no payment, remain legally bound by the settlement, and release all claims against JOOLA.
Option 2: Submit a Claim File by December 15, 2025, and receive $300 cash or $150 gift code after returning paddle.
Option 3: Opt Out Exclude yourself by December 15, 2025. You get no money but retain the right to sue JOOLA separately.
Option 4: Object Tell the court you oppose the settlement terms by December 15, 2025. You remain in settlement and are eligible for payment.
Visit www.SportSquadPaddleSettlement.com for opt-out and objection procedures.
What Should Consumers Know?
The Settlement Administrator: Kroll Settlement Administration LLC handles all claims. Do NOT contact the court, JOOLA, or class counsel directly. Call (833) 621-6134 or visit www.SportSquadPaddleSettlement.com for information.
Proof of Purchase Requirements: Authorized retailers include major sporting goods stores and online platforms where JOOLA officially sold Gen 3 paddles. The settlement administrator maintains a confidential list. If you purchased from an unauthorized seller (like a third-party marketplace), you may not qualify for Category 1’s $300 refund but can still get the $150 gift code.
Paddle Condition: No condition requirements. Even damaged paddles qualify as long as they’re “substantially complete.” You cannot return multiple paddles in one envelope.
Legal Representation: Court-appointed class counsel:
- Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
- Edwards Henderson PLLC
- Aiman-Smith & Marcy, PC
You don’t pay these attorneys directly. Their fees come from the $790,000 settlement fund.
Impact on Future Claims: If you remain in the settlement (don’t opt out), you release all claims against JOOLA related to Gen 3 paddle advertising. This includes claims you could have made but didn’t.
Why Return the Paddle? Since Gen 3 paddles aren’t USAP-approved, they’re illegal for sanctioned tournaments. JOOLA benefits by removing non-compliant products from circulation. You benefit by receiving compensation for a paddle with limited competitive use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I already returned my paddle under JOOLA’s earlier offer. Am I eligible?
No, unless you owned multiple Gen 3 paddles and kept at least one. If you previously returned one but still possess another, you can file a claim for the remaining paddle(s).
Q: Can I keep my paddle and still get paid?
No. You must return your paddle to receive any settlement benefit—either the $300 refund or $150 gift code.
Q: What if I lost my proof of purchase?
File as Category 2 and receive a $150 JOOLA gift code instead of $300 cash. No proof of purchase required for Category 2.
Q: I bought my paddle from Amazon/eBay. Does that count?
Only if the seller was an authorized JOOLA retailer. The settlement administrator determines this using JOOLA’s confidential authorized retailer list. If denied Category 1, you automatically qualify for Category 2.
Q: When will I receive my payment?
After final court approval on January 27, 2026 (if granted) and resolution of any appeals. Payments typically distributed within 30-90 days after final approval becomes effective.
Q: Can I claim multiple paddles?
Yes. Submit separate claim forms with separate Class Member IDs for each paddle. You can claim paddles in both categories if you have proof for some but not others.
Q: What happens if the court doesn’t approve the settlement?
The settlement becomes void. Litigation continues. Class members receive no payment. The $790,000 fund disappears.
This article provides general information about the JOOLA pickleball paddle class action settlement. It does not constitute legal advice. Settlement information current as of December 2025.
Sources: Court documents from U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 0:24-cv-60954-DSL), official settlement website (www.SportSquadPaddleSettlement.com), Kroll Settlement Administration notices, and verified legal news coverage from ClassAction.org and legal news sources.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah