Life Time's LT Pro 48 Pickleball Named Official Ball of Major League Pickleball; 2026 Season Kicks off in Dallas May 22
Rhea-AI Summary
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) announced the LT Pro 48 pickleball has been named the official ball of Major League Pickleball (MLP); MLP season opens in Dallas, May 22-25, 2026. The LT Pro 48 uses a 48-hole precision-molded design claimed to improve bounce, durability, and flight.
The ball debuted in 2024 and is already used across professional leagues and Life Time's network of 800 permanent courts at more than 190 athletic country clubs. The LT Pro 48 is available now at PickleballCentral.com.
Positive
- Official ball designation by Major League Pickleball for the 2026 season
- Product design: 48-hole precision-molded construction for consistency and durability
- Established pro use: Adopted since 2024, including Carvana PPA Tour
- Distribution reach: Available across Life Time's network of >800 permanent courts and online at PickleballCentral.com
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – LTH
In the Apr 29 session, LTH declined 0.23%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27 | Sports festival event | Positive | -4.0% | Sea Otter Classic cycling festival drew 75,000 attendees and 1,000+ brands. |
| Apr 24 | Club opening | Positive | +0.3% | Opened first Orlando-area Athletic Country Club, Life Time Winter Park. |
| Apr 21 | Program launch | Positive | -3.2% | Launched HYBRID XT group training tied to LT Games competition. |
| Apr 16 | Tech rollout | Positive | -0.2% | Nationwide rollout of SpiroFit VO₂ max and metabolic testing technology. |
| Apr 14 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | +0.7% | Announced Q1 2026 earnings release and call details for May 5. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent product, club, and event announcements often read positively but have frequently been followed by flat or negative next-day moves.
In the weeks before this pickleball partnership, Life Time announced several growth and product initiatives. These included the opening of Life Time Winter Park in Orlando, rollout of the HYBRID XT training format, and national deployment of SpiroFit VO₂ max and metabolic testing across clubs. Large lifestyle events like the Sea Otter Classic also highlighted the brand’s reach. Despite upbeat narratives, price reactions over the last five news items were often muted or negative, suggesting limited immediate trading impact from similar announcements.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
From everyday courts to the professional spotlight, the LT Pro 48 continues its ascent
This new designation adds to the expanded use of the LT Pro 48 by professional athletes and organizations. Since its debut in 2024, it has fast-become the go-to pickleball across both professional leagues and everyday play inside and outside of Life Time's athletic country clubs across
Designed by Life Time Founder, Chairman and CEO, Bahram Akradi, and his team, the LT Pro 48 features a 48-hole, precision-molded design that delivers consistent bounce, durability, and playability. The ball addresses common frustrations with existing pickleballs by featuring holes that are symmetrically spaced, along with chamfered edges to reduce cracking and improve flight. More from Akradi on the ball can be watched here.
As Major League Pickleball continues its rapid growth, the league's distinctive coed team format - along with a high-profile roster of celebrity team owners spanning athletes, entertainers, and CEOs - is driving increased visibility for the sport.
"Becoming the official ball of Major League Pickleball is another stamp of approval for the durability and consistency of the LT Pro 48," said Ryan Brister, Vice President of Life Time Racquet Sports. "Partnering with MLP expands the ball's reach and reinforces its position as a trusted standard in professional pickleball, supporting both doubles and singles play within the league's unique, team-focused format."
"Life Time has been an exceptional host venue partner for a collection of MLP events throughout the league's history and we are proud to expand our relationship by making the LT Pro 48 the official ball of MLP," said MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani.
The LT Pro 48 pickleball is available now at PickleballCentral.com.
The announcement with MLP coincides with National Pickleball Month, as participation in the sport continues to accelerate with Life Time playing a significant role in the sports growth. The company now offers more than 800 permanent courts across its network of more than 190 athletic country clubs.
To learn more about Life Time Pickleball and find available courts near you, please visit the Life Time location page. You can also follow Life Time Pickleball on Instagram.
For more information about Life Time, visit www.lifetime.life or follow on social media at Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Life Time
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its more than 190 athletic country clubs across the
About Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash)
Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 20 teams, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association (UPA), bringing together the leading pro pickleball organizations under a single entity. Visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more information.
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SOURCE Life Time, Inc.