Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), the international rating system for pickleball, engaged a new board, ownership, investors, and an influx of $8 million to advance its mission of unifying the sport with technology and a global rating system.
.David Kass, a real estate developer and Major League Pickleball team owner, will operate as the new owner and chairman, with new board members and investors, including Andre Agassi, Raine Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Raine Group, Jay Farner, CEO of Ronin Capital Partners and former CEO of Rocket Companies, Brian Yeager, chairman and CEO, The Champions Companies, and R. Blane Walter, founder of InChord Communications. Tito Machado will continue to lead the organization as CEO.
“Pickleball is still in its infancy, and the sport is only going to continue to gain traction in the U.S. and worldwide. We are making a major financial investment in DUPR to grow the platform, its technology and the game for the long term,” said Kass. “In just a few years, DUPR has experienced incredible adoption, with over 35 API partners and half a million users, enabling players to know their level, connect with friends and players, join clubs, and unlock advanced analytics, training tools and opportunities for upskilling. Now operating as its own entity, DUPR can focus on cementing its position as the connective tissue of the entire pickleball ecosystem. I am excited to work with this talented team to take DUPR into its next chapter.”
“With over half a million users and a 20 percent month-over-month growth rate since its founding in 2021, and a presence in over 140 countries, including China, Germany and the UK, DUPR has established itself as the global standard in pickleball ratings,” the company said in a release. “DUPR provides players across all levels with an ageless, genderless rating based on their match results to equip the emerging sport with a simple language and standard to gauge player ability.”
“As an active, passionate pickleball player, I know how important it is to play against players at your level for the ultimate enjoyment of the sport,” said Andre Agassi, former world #1 tennis player, eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist. “DUPR is the most accurate system out there that gives all players a simple and easy way to know their skill level. With DUPR, you can also track progress, connect with others and maximize more opportunities to hit the courts. I believe in DUPR’s vision to benefit pickleball and players of every level. I am excited and proud to be a part of this team.”
DUPR’s organized competition models provide opportunities to participate in pickleball. From juniors to college and major league pickleball players, DUPR connects the pickleball pathway. The company’s partners and supporters include LifeTime Pickleball, The Picklr, Ace, and OOFOS.
“Our team has been working tirelessly for the last few years to build the best-in-class rating system and technology platform to unify pickleball. Now, with the support and guidance of David Kass, Andre Agassi, The Raine Group, and our other incredible investors and board members, we’re well-positioned to accelerate our growth and adoption worldwide while also releasing new features to the platform to enhance the experience for players and organizers,” said Machado.
DUPR reportedly uses a modified Elo algorithm that rates players, regardless of age, gender, location, or skill, across the same 2.0 to 8.0 scale to evaluate ability. The algorithm considers three factors:
- wins or losses,
- type of match (recreational vs. tournament), and
- rating spread between players.
DUPR is free, and one match creates a rating. As players play more, their rating becomes more accurate. Players who use DUPR are said to “play more often, know their level and find more opportunities to play.” Tournament directors and event organizers report that when their players have a DUPR “they see more activity at their club and increased growth for their bottom line.”
Images courtesy DUPR
