How do you build the global rating system for the fastest growing sport in the world, and what does it take to standardize competitive play across 150 countries?In this episode, Edoardo Grandi sits down with Gilberto “Tito” Machado, CEO and President of DUPR, the platform that provides pickleball’s universal skill rating. DUPR now supports more than 1.7 million players and 12,000 clubs, giving the sport a single, trusted metric for competitive balance across the entire ecosystem.Tito explains how DUPR evolved from a small, early stage concept into the sport’s global infrastructure layer, why the 2.2 algorithm was a breakthrough for rating accuracy, and how expected score modeling prevents inflation, deflation, and rating manipulation. He also breaks down how DUPR is shaping the future of tournaments, collegiate competition, and the regulatory standards required for legalized sports betting.We also explore the commercial architecture behind DUPR’s growth, how the platform scaled internationally, and why accurate skill verification is becoming one of the most valuable assets in the sport.If you own, invest in, or operate around pickleball, this conversation will change how you think about ratings, competition, and the future of the sport’s global infrastructure.What we coverHow DUPR was built and why the sport needed a universal rating systemHow the DUPR 2.2 algorithm works and why expected score modeling mattersHow accurate ratings support tournaments, collegiate play, and amateur competitionThe role of data in securing regulatory approval for sports bettingHow DUPR scaled to 1.7 million players and 12,000 clubs worldwideThe commercial model behind DUPR and where the platform is heading next🎙️ Guest: Gilberto “Tito” Machado, CEO and President of DUPR🌐 DUPR: mydupr.com📩 Interested in collaborating or appearing on The Sport Businessman Contact Edoardo at [email protected]🌐 Learn business models in sports and entertainment: sport-businessman.com

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