I am not an expert on this subject…but I think you also need to consider the number of pickleballs vs tennis balls manufactured. Quantity does drive down the cost of manufacturing.

Have appreciated your instructional PB videos….keep it coming !

Recently bought some Dura 40’s and one cracked after two sessions (temperature in my neck of the woods would be 75 to 80 f). Led to a discussion with fellow PickleBaller’s about how the Dura 40’s don’t last as you pointed out in your article. The discussion then led to cost of one Dura 40 ball ($3.85 Cdn landed) versus a tin of 3 tennis balls ($4.15 Cdn landed). Logically one would think manufacturing a tennis ball, in terms of materials & production would cost more than producing one PickleBall. Yet here we are (in British Columbia, Canada) paying a fairly steep price for one Dura 40 that doesn’t last much after a couple of hours of play before cracking compared to 3 tennis balls that will last considerably longer.

Would you be able to comment on the manufacturer’s of the Dura 40 (or other pickleball manufacturer’s of indoor or outdoor balls) if there’s excessive greed on profits on the pickleball-making side of the industry ? Or could you enlighten me on just why the pickleball balls are so darned expensive ?