Shutterstock Studios Launches Behind-the-Scenes Pickleball Docuseries
SPORTS
PARTNERS marks a key milestone in Shutterstock Studios’ growing slate across commercial, branded, and documentary content.
Shutterstock Studios announced the premiere of Partners, a six-part docuseries produced with the Carvana PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) Tour that offers the first on- and off-court look behind the scenes of professional pickleball. The series premieres Tuesday, May 5, on Prime Video in the United States at no additional cost with a Prime membership, the Carvana PPA Tour YouTube Channel, and PickleballTV, with all episodes dropping at once.
Partners represents Shutterstock Studios' commitment to premium storytelling, leveraging a brand-funded entertainment model that bridges Carvana and the PPA Tour's brand objectives with authentic content built for mainstream audiences. The project is made possible by Carvana's willingness to support culturally relevant stories, particularly across sports.
Inside Professional Pickleball
Gaining access across one full season of the Carvana PPA Tour, Partners pulls back the curtain on a league often described as a traveling university. Players train together, party together, date each other, and show up at the same hotel the morning after a loss, a breakup, or a contract dispute.
Less than five years since its founding, the league faces its most consequential season yet as payout structures change, newcomers topple legacy players, and major sponsors become a fixture in a sport now played in 78 countries. The sport has 19.8 million players in America alone, with prize money for professional athletes exceeding $30 million annually.
The series launches with multi-platform distribution and an on-air cast of more than 25 players, coaches, and executives at the center of the sport's defining season.
Brand-Funded Entertainment Model
"Pickleball is certainly having a moment, but most people still haven't seen what it actually feels like inside that world," said Mark Infante, Executive Producer at Shutterstock Studios. "The access we received from the Carvana PPA Tour changed everything, placing us directly within the action. That level of access only happens through trust and when a brand is part of the story from the start."
"Our partnership with the PPA has given us a front-row seat to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country," said Ryan Keeton, Chief Brand Officer at Carvana. "Partners is a natural next step, offering fans a deeper look at the players and stories driving that growth."
"The Carvana PPA Tour continues to showcase professional pickleball on the world's biggest stages, and Partners gives the world a front-row seat to everything that goes on behind the scenes," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour.
Production Details
Partners is produced by Shutterstock Studios in association with Wavelength. Executive producers include Mark Infante, Michele Gauthier, Aiden Darne, and Jon Weidman. Dan Bradley (Sprint) serves as showrunner.
The series marks a milestone in Shutterstock Studios' growing project slate, which spans commercial production, branded content, and premium documentary programming across TV, film, and social. Recent projects include We Are King (Olympic Channel) and the Cannes Lions shortlisted documentary Surfing Through the Odds in partnership with Betclic.
About the Partners
The Professional Pickleball Association Tour, sponsored by Carvana, is professional pickleball's premier league, co-founded by Connor Pardoe and Conner Ogden in 2019. The Carvana PPA has grown to more than 170 contracted players competing across 25 annual events.
Shutterstock Studios is an award-winning global content engine that develops, produces, and distributes premium series, documentaries, and branded entertainment. The studio combines global creativity, agility, and next-generation production tools, including AI services for hyperscalers and global brands. Recognized by the Clios, Webbys, Anthem, and Cannes Lions Awards, Shutterstock Studios delivers work designed to extend brand narratives beyond traditional campaigns.
Wavelength is an independent studio with industry recognition including Emmys, Tonys, Grammy nominations, and Oscar shortlists. The company's portfolio includes Academy Award-shortlisted 32 Sounds, Netflix's Rather, and Emmy winners Feels Good Man and Art and Krimes by Krimes. In 2025, Wavelength cemented its commitment to sports and branded entertainment by acquiring Duplex Deli, the production agency founded by Dan Bradley and Jon Weidman.