Mark Fabbro, a sports marketing executive from Massachusetts, is spearheading the campaign to have pickleball included in the Olympic Games by 2032. In November 2023, he co-founded the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), which now represents over 70 countries and is actively pursuing recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The sport’s rapid growth from a small local club formed during the COVID-19 lockdown in Hingham, Massachusetts—where players bonded through challenging times—has evolved into a global movement supported by structured governance, standardized rules, and international competitions.
Fabbro’s involvement with USA Pickleball and his professional expertise have been instrumental in managing the sport’s explosive expansion while maintaining its integrity amid increasing commercial interest. The GPF collaborates closely with national bodies to develop officiating, equipment standards, and global events, aiming to unify and elevate pickleball worldwide. Following productive meetings in Lausanne, the heart of international sports governance, Fabbro and the GPF are optimistic about pickleball’s Olympic future, reflecting on the sport’s journey from backyard fun to a unifying global community.
