ST. LOUIS — Eureka native and reality show veteran, Clayton Echard, was a top choice to host a “ground-breaking” new pickleball reality and competition show that is set to air later this fall.
Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in America, including St. Louis, which is among the top five cities in the nation to play.
Contestants on “Pickleball Paddle Battle” will compete for a chance to earn a prestigious one-year pickleball sponsorship contract with Pickleball Kingdom Productions, according to a press release. One male and one female will each earn the sponsorship.
Echard will explore each contestant’s backstory, interview them before and after games, narrate in between segments, in addition to drama and “intense rivalries” that may happen during the competition.
He told Spectrum News that he will be “getting into the minds of the athletes” to captivate the emotions for the audience to see.
“I’ll do my best to kind of extract those feelings, capture them in the moment and really just give the audience something to root for,” Echard said.
In 2021, Echard was the star of season 26 of “The Bachelor,” and a contestant on season 18 of “The Bachelorette.” After playing tight-end at Mizzou and earning a bachelor’s in health sciences, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.
While he has experience being on television, Echard told Spectrum News that Canadian television personality, Jesse Palmer, has been giving him some pointers on hosting in preparation for the new pickleball show.
When he first appeared on television, Echard said he remembers being conscious about his every move.
“I was paying attention to the way I was breathing, I was paying attention to my arm movements, walking, all of it,” he said. “Thankfully now, I’ve done it so many times that it’s become second nature. I’m able to kind of walk in there already with that confidence and that presence and just be myself.”
Echard plans to become somewhat of an expert on pickleball by watching videos and reading as much as he can on the sport, which he said will help him be more of an authentic host.
Echard’s new book documenting his mental health may come in handy as host of "Pickleball Paddle Battle" while he encourages contestants as they are pushed to their mental and physical limits during competition, according to the press release.
Echard told Spectrum News that he plans to share his own pointers with contestants on how to become comfortable in front of the camera.
“Once I let go and stopped trying to overanalyze myself and I just basically lived in that moment, I was able to execute the game plan or whatever it might have been for me,” Echard said.
“Most athletes know that a large majority of the game is played mentally. If you’re not in it mentally, you will perform at a much lower ability than if you’re fully invested and present.”
Competitor applications are taking place through Aug. 23, which invite high-level players to show off their pickleball skills.
"This show is about making dreams come true. The action will be fantastic, but the emotions will be unforgettable," said Ace Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, in the press release.
“Viewers will be treated to Clayton's charisma and hosting skills while the show will deliver unprecedented access to the players that make the sport so special."
Additionally, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestant that will help them earn a chance to win a Pickleball Kingdom franchise. One male and one female will be chosen for the business opportunity, according to the press release.
“This is the only show that is taking an in-depth look at the pickleball craze that has spread throughout the world," Rodrigues said.
"We are presently in discussions with several national networks and streaming services to finalize a distribution deal that will showcase the sport of pickleball to the masses."
To learn how to enter the competition and where to watch in the future, click here. For information about Pickleball Kingdom, click here.
