Ignatowich, Fu & Glozman File Termination Appeal, Seek UPA Reinstatement

"Nothing in our contracts prohibited this activity. We did not compete in another league, promote a rival tour, or receive compensation of any kind."

Nine days after the United Pickleball Association terminated their contracts for "participating in competitor events" in Japan, James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, and Vivian Glozman have filed an appeal.

The full statement was provided to The Dink by the World Pickleball Players Association, an upstart group launched in July focused on advocating for increased transparency around health, safety, compensation and more in pro pickleball.

(The UPA formed its own Pro Player Committee in 2020 and just recently voted Zane Navratil its president.)

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'An Unsettling Experience for All of Us'

"With the support of the World Pickleball Players’ Association," the statement reads, "the players filed the appeal to correct the record and seek reinstatement. The appeal underscores the lack of a clear, consistent, and transparent disciplinary and dispute-resolutin process at the UPA."

The appeal, filed Friday, December 19, by Ignatowich, Fu, and Glozman via the WPPA, challenges the UPA's decision to terminate their contracts "for participating in a 'grow the game' educational clinic," saying the repercussions are "arbitrary, disproportionate, and unsupported by their agreements."

In a brief statement, Jeff Watson, VP of Communications and Marketing for the UPA, told The Dink: “The UPA has received an appeal and will take the appropriate next steps to evaluate.”

As part of the formal appear, Ignatowich, Fu, and Glozman said the following:

Nothing in our contracts prohibited this activity. We did not compete in another league, promote a rival tour, or receive compensation of any kind.

The event in question was hosted by the Pickleball Japan Federation in Tokyo’s Ariake Tennis Park.

This has been an unsettling experience for all of us. We acted in good faith and sought and received approval from the league-appointed Players Council, even though no approval was required. Still, our intentions and integrity were questioned, and we were publicly terminated. We hope the league uses this moment to provide clearer guidance and a fairer, more consistent process for everyone moving forward.”

A 'Black-and-White Violation of UPA Agreements'

Early this month, Ignatowich, Fu, and Glozman participated in a series of clinics and exhibitions in Tokyo, Japan.

Specific details around what they did or didn't do are not publicly known, but it was enough to compel the UPA to end their contracts, "effective immediately":

"The terms of each player’s contract are confidential, however, participating in competitor events is a black-and-white violation of UPA agreements."

Days after the news broke, Fu took to X to lay out his side of events, saying in part that the trip had, in fact, been approved by the UPA Committee in July, they hadn't competed in any events, and there had been no notice or discourse from the league before their terminations.

UPA Terminates Contracts of Ignatowich, Fu & Glozman Following Participation in Unsanctioned Event

All three players were reportedly part of a series of clinics and exhibitions hosted by the Pickleball Japan Federation in Tokyo’s Ariake Tennis Park earlier this week.

The Dink PickleballErik Tice

MLP Commissioner and UPA Chief Strategy Officer Samin Odhwani responded to that post with one of this own, stating in part:

• "Ryan — your post leaves out material facts. To be clear, you didn’t submit the approval request — James submitted it on your behalf. And what he submitted was not accurate."
• "The issue is that the approval request described this as a small, informal trip hosted by “a local couple,” when in reality it was a federation-run, commercially sponsored event — which simply requires proper approval and sanctioning."
• "The request also stated explicitly: “No tournament.” But the Japan event did include a tournament — and the PickleballTournaments listing shows 1,200+ registered participants. This was a full-scale event."
• "The event also used PPA and MLP branding in marketing without approval. We’re always open to working with international organizers and would’ve gladly sanctioned this properly. But transparency and accuracy matter — especially when representing the league, its partners, and its athletes."

Zane Navratil Named President of Pickleball’s Pro Player Committee

Zane Navratil has been elected President of the newly formed UPA Pro Player Committee, an organization intended to provide a direct, organized player voice within the fast-growing structure of pro pickleball.

The Dink PickleballJamie Simon

The Fate of Parris Todd

Parris Todd was also at the event in Japan, but reportedly did submit prior approval and perhaps wasn’t fully aware of what she was getting herself into.

When the UPA announced the players terminations on social media, it noted this:

Parris Todd also participated in this event after initially reaching out for permission to do so, with incomplete context. Leadership is still reviewing the full details, and discussions are ongoing regarding the appropriate consequence – which could range from a fine to a suspension to, if warranted, termination. We will communicate the final outcome once that decision is made.

Since then, we have had numerous conversations with people close to the issue.

Consequences for Todd seem imminent, but full termination is feeling less likely by the day. We’re hearing a sizable fine plus a multi-event suspension is coming down from on high. But we should get official word soon.

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