Sydney Schneiter

Sponsorship Sales Manager & Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour)

“Thank you, Sydney Schneiter, Sponsorship Sales Manager at the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour), for sharing your journey!

Sydney drives sponsorship sales for the league, helping brands build meaningful marketing strategies within the fast-growing sport of Pickleball. Though she studied Marketing & Entrepreneurship, her love for sales sparked during college — setting the foundation for her first role out of school and an exciting start to her career.

Entering the sports industry in an emerging space like Pickleball came with challenges, but Sydney overcame them by immersing herself in events and studying all racket sports to better understand the landscape. She’s grown through guidance from supportive leaders and has learned the importance of knowing your worth — especially as the only woman on her team.

Sydney finds balance by staying focused at work and fully logging off at home. She loves the relationship-building side of her role, learning how brands tell their stories and finding ways to elevate them through partnerships.

Her advice: keep working — timing is everything, and your moment will come.“

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

To sell sponsorships for the league.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I studied Marketing & Entrepreneurship, but took a liking to sales my sophomore year of college. Marketing also helped as I sell marketing strategies to brands, as part of a sponsorship

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

This is my first role out of college, so graduating was the first milestone!

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

Getting familiar with the sports industry, especially in a sport like Pickleball where the space is a bit uncharted. I overcame this challenge by tuning into our events, in addition to all racket sports.

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

I try my best to log off after I come home from work. Not all people work the same hours due to time zones, etc. but I try my hardest to focus solely on work when I’m in the office and focus on myself after.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

Honestly no, I have not have a mentor in the official capacity. I do however have good relationships with the superiors at my job, who have helped guide me thus far.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

Yes! I think being the only girl on the team has actually given me an advantage, having a POV that no one else has. With that said, I did not push for a higher pay that several of my male counterparts have. I would recommend all women in the work place know their worth and ask for a compensation that reflects that.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

I really enjoy learning about different brand and what they do to market their products and services. As with any sales job, the ups and downs can be difficult to overcome.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Keep working at it! Timing is everything so make sure to be around when your time comes.