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How House Pickleball is Building a Gen Z Community on College Campuses

House Pickleball is leveraging MarketPryce to connect with college athletes, foster an authentic campus community, and position itself as the go-to pickleball brand for Gen Z

November 26, 2024

Lox Neves and her soccer teammates proudly showcasing their House Pickleball paddles on the court.

How House Pickleball is Building a Gen Z Community on Campus Through MarketPryce

House Pickleball is on a mission to redefine the sport for a new generation, aiming to become the go-to pickleball brand for Gen Z.

But for a community-focused brand with limited marketing resources, traditional advertising methods aren’t the way forward.

Instead, House Pickleball’s founder, Mark, turned to MarketPryce to grow a diverse and engaged community that embodies the brand’s inclusive identity.

Here’s how House Pickleball is leveraging MarketPryce to connect authentically with Gen Z and bring fresh energy to the pickleball scene.

Goal #1: Evergreen Product Seeding at Scale

House Pickleball’s strategy centers around continuous, authentic engagement. To do this, Mark invests in product seeding at scale, sending out gear to college athletes each month. Rather than a one-off strategy, he approaches it as an “evergreen” commitment, focusing on building a real community of true brand advocates. This strategy plants seeds for future partnerships, with an emphasis on cultivating genuine connections over time.

“It’s important to me that we’re getting all types of people on the team. That’s what provides that cultural relevance. If you’re sticking with the typical pickleball crowd—older white people—you’re not doing anything new or furthering that goal. It’s really important to us to have Gen Z on the athlete side. So MarketPryce fits in really well,” Mark explained.

By sending products out regularly, Mark establishes a foundation of athletes who become long-term fans and, eventually, true partners in the House Pickleball mission. He sees this as more than product placement; it’s the foundation for a lasting community.

“MarketPryce saves my time prospecting for influencers,” Mark said. “It takes a huge load off.”

Goal #2: Cost-Effective Video Content with CPM Challenges

As a solo entrepreneur, Mark doesn’t have a Nike-sized budget for athlete marketing. That’s where MarketPryce’s CPM Challenges come in. For athletes who resonate with House Pickleball’s values and love their initial product, Mark uses CPM Challenges instead of flat-fee posts.

Through CPM Challenges, Mark keeps content flowing while making sure he only pays for results. This setup lets him stay nimble and keep up with the high demand for engaging social content without overspending.

It’s a win-win for him and for athletes who want to create more for House Pickleball.

Goal #3: Building Long-Term Relationships with Top Athletes

While House Pickleball welcomes a wide range of brand advocates, Mark is intentional about nurturing relationships with standout athletes who bring something extra to the community, as every brand should.

For those who consistently go above and beyond—like Geanice Morales, a core member of the House Pickleball roster—Mark fosters deeper connections and long-term collaboration. Geanice has become a tentpole figure for the brand, regularly creating content and engaging with fans, exemplifying what it means to be part of House Pickleball.

“This generation is the most diverse generation we’ve had yet,” Mark shared. “And I want that reflected in our marketing, so MarketPryce is a perfect fit.”

By maintaining these relationships, House Pickleball doesn’t just collect content; it also builds authentic, enduring partnerships that resonate with a diverse audience. Mark sees Geanice as more than just a partner; she’s a reflection of House Pickleball’s community-centered identity.

“It’s authentic communication and relationship building,” Mark explained. “By having MarketPryce facilitate those connections, it just makes it easy for me to build deep relationships versus cold DMing.”

The Impact

Through MarketPryce, House Pickleball has been able to connect with hundreds of Gen Z athletes across college campuses, creating an authentic community grounded in inclusivity and passion for pickleball. From scalable seeding to cost-effective video content and lasting athlete relationships, Mark has leveraged MarketPryce as a one-stop solution for building a brand that truly speaks to the next generation.

For a brand that values diversity, accessibility, and genuine community-building, MarketPryce has proven to be the ideal partner. As House Pickleball continues its journey, its community of athletes and fans only grows stronger—a network of advocates who are excited to grow the sport and redefine what it means to play pickleball.

MARKETPRYCE MAKES it easy for brands and student-athletes to form authentic partnerships. Get started today.