Bill Ullman, President of the United States Padel Association (USPA), spoke to Georgetown University’s Sports Management Society in early February, sharing his unique journey from Wall Street to leading the USA’s governing body of padel, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
A Distinguished Guest for a Renowned Forum
The Georgetown Sports Management Society has established itself as a premier platform for sports industry insights. The organization has previously hosted notable speakers, including Ted Leonsis, Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment (owner of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards), and Don Davis Jr., NFL Linebacker and two-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots.
Monday’s discussion was moderated by Al Lattell, Director of the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program at Georgetown University, and organized by Charlie DeMarco, star goalie of the Hoyas’ Men’s Soccer Team. The event drew Georgetown varsity athletes and students interested in the sports business.
Bridging Business and Athletics
Ullman brings a unique combination of experience to his role as USPA President. His professional career spans investment management, investment banking, and prime brokerage, and he is currently Managing Director at Connective Wealth Management. He also serves as a Director at VanEck Global and Alpha Modus Corp., demonstrating extensive board-level experience across the financial services industry.
In addition to his business experience, Ullman’s athletic credentials are equally impressive. A former varsity squash player at Princeton University, he continues to compete in national and international tournaments as an age group squash and padel player, representing the United States at international competitions.
The Growth of Padel in America
A central theme of Ullman’s presentation was the explosive growth of padel in the United States. He outlined how the sport has evolved from a niche activity to one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sports globally, with the USPA playing a pivotal role as the national governing body.
Ullman discussed the current state of padel in America and its enormous potential for continued growth, emphasizing how the sport’s accessibility and social nature have contributed to its rapid adoption nationwide.
Padel at the Intercollegiate Level
One of the most significant topics Ullman addressed was the potential for padel at the intercollegiate level. He spoke about the upcoming and historic first-ever FISU World University Padel Championships, scheduled to take place in July 2026 in Málaga, Spain.
This event represents a major step forward for university padel, providing student-athletes with an international stage to compete and showcasing the sport’s growing legitimacy within the academic athletic community.
Lessons from a Lifetime in Sports
Ullman’s talk also focused on how his involvement in intercollegiate sports, from varsity squash at Princeton to his current role as a competitive squash and padel player have profoundly influenced his business career and life.
Ullman emphasized the importance of learning from losses and mistakes, constantly analyzing how to improve as an athlete, competitor, and person. This philosophy of continuous improvement and resilience, he explained, has been instrumental in both his success in financial services and his effectiveness as a sports organization leader.
The USPA’s Mission and Impact
Ullman detailed his role as President of the USPA and explained the organization’s function as the national governing body for padel in the United States. He discussed how the USPA is working to develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots participation to elite international competition.
As one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sports globally, padel presents unique opportunities for athletes, entrepreneurs, and sports management professionals alike, a message that resonated strongly with the Georgetown audience considering careers in the sports industry.
A Conversation on Leadership and Growth
The event provided Georgetown students with valuable insights into how passion for sports can intersect with business acumen to drive organizational growth. Ullman’s story from college athlete to Wall Street professional to sports federation president illustrated the diverse pathways available in the modern sports industry.
The discussion also highlighted how emerging sports like padel are creating new opportunities for the next generation of sports management professionals, offering opportunities that didn’t exist even a decade ago.
Be Part of America’s Padel Revolution
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Questions? Contact USPA at info@padelusa.org