pickleball and sports exclusive
ANDRE AGASSI, DAVID KASS AND RAINE VENTURES ACQUIRE CONTROLLING INTEREST IN DUPR, INVEST $8 MILLION
Seasoned Investors and Operators in Sports and Technology Join Effort to Unify Pickleball Through Technology and Universal Rating System
AUSTIN, Texas /PRNewswire/ — Today, DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), pickleball’s most accurate international rating system, announced a new board, ownership and investors, as well as an influx of $8M in funding to further advance its mission to unify the fast-growing sport with innovative technology and a dynamic global rating.
David Kass, real estate developer and Major League Pickleball team owner, will operate as the new owner and chairman, alongside new board members and investors including legendary tennis star Andre Agassi; Raine Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Raine Group; Jay Farner, CEO of Ronin Capital Partners and former CEO of Rocket Companies; Brian Yeager, Chairman & CEO, The Champions Companies; and R. Blane Walter, founder of InChord Communications. Tito Machado will continue to lead the organization as its CEO.
“Pickleball is still in its infancy and the sport is only going to continue to gain traction in the US and worldwide. We are making a major financial investment in DUPR to grow the platform, its technology and the game for the long term,” said David Kass, DUPR Chairman of the Board. “In just a few years, DUPR has experienced incredible adoption, with over 35 API partners and half a million users, enabling players to know their level, connect with friends and players, join clubs, and unlock advanced analytics, training tools and opportunities for upskilling. Now operating as its own entity, DUPR can focus on cementing its position as the connective tissue of the entire pickleball ecosystem. I am excited to work with this talented team to take DUPR into its next chapter.”
With over half a million users and a 20% month over month growth rate since its founding in 2021, and a presence in over 140 countries, including China, Germany and the UK, DUPR has established itself as the global standard in pickleball ratings. DUPR provides players across all levels with an ageless, genderless rating based on their match results to equip the emerging sport with a simple language and standard to gauge player ability.
“As an active, passionate pickleball player I know how important it is to play against players at your level for the ultimate enjoyment of the sport,” said Andre Agassi, former world #1 tennis player, eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist. “DUPR is the most accurate system out there that gives all players a simple and easy way to know their skill level. With DUPR, you can also track progress, connect with others and maximize more opportunities to hit the courts. I believe in DUPR’s vision to benefit pickleball and players of every level. I am excited and proud to be a part of this team.”
DUPR’s various organized competition models provide endless opportunities to participate in pickleball. From juniors (focused on shaping young talent that will define the future of the sport), to collegiate (DUPR is the home of collegiate pickleball), all the way to Major League Pickleball — DUPR connects the entire pickleball pathway, offering something for everyone. The company’s partners and supporters include LifeTime Pickleball, The Picklr, Ace and OOFOS.
“Our team has been working tirelessly for the last few years to build the best-in-class rating system and technology platform to unify pickleball. Now, with the support and guidance of David Kass, Andre Agassi, The Raine Group and our other incredible investors and board members, we’re well-positioned to accelerate our growth and adoption worldwide, while also releasing new features to the platform to enhance the experience for players and organizers,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO.
DUPR uses a modified Elo algorithm that rates players, regardless of their age, gender, location, or skill, across the same 2.0 to 8.0 scale to evaluate their ability. The algorithm considers three factors: wins or losses, type of match (recreational vs tournament) and the rating spread between players. DUPR is free and one match is all it takes to have a rating. As players play more, their rating becomes even more accurate. Players who use DUPR play more often, and love the ability to know their level and find more opportunities to play. Tournament directors and event organizers report that when their players have a DUPR they see more activity at their club and increased growth for their bottom line.
To learn more about DUPR, please visit www.mydupr.com.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.mydupr.com to sign up and learn more.
SOURCE DUPR
Entertainment
The Great Pickleball Debate: Sleeves’ Interview with Jonny Gibaud of OM Sparks a Pickleball Controversy
Pickleball’s latest controversy: OM Pickleball’s racquet vs. traditional paddles. Sleeves and Gibaud debate the future on the People of the Pickleball podcast.
In a groundbreaking episode of the People of the Pickleball podcast, host Mike Sleeves Sliwa engages in a captivating discussion with Jonny Gibaud, the innovative mind behind OM Pickleball. The conversation revolves around OM’s revolutionary creation, the pickleball racquet, which has ignited a heated debate in the pickleball community.
Teaser:
Prepare yourself for a thought-provoking episode, as Sleeves delves into the world of pickleball with Jonny, exploring the concept of pickleball racquets. Introduced by OM Pickleball, these racquets have divided opinions and give rise to the burning question: “Will pickleball racquets replace traditional paddles?”
The controversy surrounding this topic has spilled over into Sleeves’ Senior Pickleball Report YouTube channel, with passionate arguments from both sides of the debate. This episode promises to shed light on the potential benefits and drawbacks of this new innovation and will further ignite the conversation among players worldwide.
Join Sleeves and Gibaud as they uncover the motivation behind the creation of the pickleball racquet, explore its unique features, and discuss how it can potentially transform the pickleball experience. This episode promises to challenge conventional wisdom and spark lively conversations among pickleball enthusiasts.
Don’t miss out on this thrilling episode of People of the Pickleball podcast! Stay tuned for the full release, and be ready to join the conversation on whether pickleball racquets will replace paddles. Prepare to have your mind opened and your love for this incredible sport reignited!
OM
OMxSLEEVES for 10% off
Sleeve’s SPR on the web:
Sign up for the SPR Newsletter and get news and episode release info right into your inbox: https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/sleeves-spr-newsletter-sign-up/
Merch links and affiliate links…
Looking for great deals on the products we’ve reviewed? Head over to our affiliates and partner page now and take advantage of the amazing discounts we’ve secured for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save big! https://stm-store.online/spr-affiliates-and-partners/
Crown Pickleball: Get 15% off your purchase by using my discount code: MICHAELSLIWA15
https://crownpickleball.store/michaelsliwa
GOSleeves Kinesiology Sleeves
https://gokinesiologysleeves.com
Promo Code: SLEEVESSPR for 15% off
Brioti Eyewear
Promo Code:SLEEVES10 for 10% off
Hesacore Grips
https://shop.hesacore.com/discount/SLEEVES10?ref=tvolvibq
Promo Code: SLEEVES10 for 10% off
Luxe PB
https://luxepickleball.com/?ref=napvyzwo
promo code: MICHAELJSLIWA
for 15% off
Aethos PB
Promo code: SLEEVES for 10% off
GoSleeves
https://gokinesiologysleeves.com
Promo code: SLEEVESSPR for 15% off
https://www.ethospickleball.com
SLEEVES 20 for 20% off
Wowlly PB
WOWLLYSPR for 10% off
TMPR SPORTS
DISCOUNT CODE: SPR20 for $20 off+ FREE SHIPPING
OM Pickleball
promo code: OMxSLEEVES for 10% off + Free shipping
Wickle Elite 1: A Game-Changing Pickleball Paddle
Describing the paddle as a game-changer, Sliwa went as far as suggesting that the sport itself should consider rebranding to “Wickleball” in honor of this groundbreaking equipment. With a low price tag that won’t leave your wallet in a pickle, the Wickle Elite 1 promises to elevate your pickleball experience without breaking the bank.
Check out the Wickle product line and get 10% off your purchase ( use the code sleeves10): https://wicklesports.com?sca_ref=4259414.aeWn90ZVTe
Visit Miles Jane and get $15 off by using code SLEEVES15OFF when you make a purchase.
MilesJane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milesjane_pickleball/
#PickleballFashion
Discover the newest apparel and accessories for the Senior Pickleball Report by SLEEVES, now available through Santa Barbara Happy! Use the discount code: Sleeve10 for 10% off.
PiklNation: We believe that pickleball is not just a game, but a lifestyle. Our mission is to add joy, style, and humor to the pickleball community. https://www.piklnation.com/
Check out the Bread & Butter Filth and get 10% off your purchase ( use the code SleevesPBR):
https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/213j6A
Picklin is revolutionizing pickleball practice with The Dink Net! Improve your dink game and revolutionize your practice with this portable net that sets up in under 60 seconds. Perfect for practicing your skills anywhere, The Dink Net enhances muscle memory and helps you become an expert player faster. Picklin is dedicated to enhancing your game with innovative products, ensuring your transition into pickleball is smooth and enjoyable.
Use code SENIORPICKLEBALLREPORT for 10% off your entire order. Elevate your pickleball experience with Picklin! https://startpicklin.com/seniorpickleballreport
Fitville is offering a discount to you, the viewers of Sleeve’s SPR… Use this code to get 30% off: SPR30
https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2368754&u=3121769&m=100007&urllink=&afftrack=
Check out PCKL’s paddle lineup: PCKL IS OFFERING A DISCOUNT TO YOU, THE VIEWERS OF SLEEVE’S SPR… USE CODE PBREPORT15 FOR 15% OFF! HTTPS://SDQK.ME/EFKFEIAN/2KWQYP23
Learn about the R.A.W. (Reign and Win) Excluder 1, a fantastic paddle that supports non-profit bee farmers and contributes to preserving bees. Use the promo code “Reign10” to get a 10% discount on your purchase. Let’s work together to save the bees, who play a vital role in sustaining life on our planet. Click the link below to find out more about this product.
SPR Shirts and merch: https://stm-store.online/spr-merchand…
Just Paddles https://www.justpaddles.com/?rfsn=660…
#pickleball
#seniorpickleball
#pickleballislife
Social Links:
SPR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…
SPR on WEB https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-seni…
SPR on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seniorpickl…
SPR on TikTok
twitter: https://twitter.com/SeniorPBReport
PHOENIX /PRNewswire/ — It was just a matter of time before the fastest growing sport, pickleball, became America’s most popular export. A new era has begun. Pickleball Kingdom, the nation’s premier and largest entity of indoor pickleball facilities, has just become the world’s first international indoor pickleball franchise company
Pickleball Kingdom has signed a deal with Franchise India Group, the leading company in the world of bringing US brands into the Middle East. Their agreement will lead to Pickleball Kingdoms initially opening in Dubai, India, and Abu Dhabi, with the rest of the UAE to follow.
Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, Ace Rodrigues exclaimed, “This is a dream come true. Global expansion was part of the plan from day one, and now we’re here. Currently we have 140+ locations in queue in the United States. With this partnership, we will double that number almost overnight. And this is just the beginning.”
Chairman of Franchise India Group, Gaurav Marya added, “Pickleball is taking the world by storm and Pickleball Kingdom is leading that charge. We’re excited to partner with them and head up this international expansion.”
Franchise India Group is now accepting applications from interested parties to participate in this global movement as franchisees. Venus Barak, CEO of FranGlobal explained, “We are looking for seasoned businesspeople who understand the value of having first market mover advantage. We will have these key stakeholders in place for each territory that we open.”
Pickleball has seen a growth rate of over 224% over the last three years, resulting in an estimated 36.5M pickleball players in the United States alone. And remarkably, 45% of them say they plan on playing more pickleball over the next year, according to YouGov. Universally, the biggest complaint against pickleball is that there aren’t enough courts to meet the demand to play…
Enter Pickleball Kingdom’s franchise model. These climate controlled, indoor facilities offer lessons, leagues, tournaments, parties, team building events, and refreshments. Members and visitors have the option to reserve courts or participate in open play sessions.
Rob Streett, Pickleball Kingdom’s COO, stated, “Partnering with Franchise India Group gives us the immediate scale and reach to maximize our brand’s immediate entry and impact in the Middle East. We have been very methodical and intentional with our growth. This is just phase one of our expansion plan.”
CEO Ace Rodrigues concluded, “The time has come. This is our entry onto the international stage. We will be in every country in the world inside of 5 years. One of our value statements is, ‘Pickleball is good for you physically, socially, and spiritually.’ I can’t wait to hear, ‘Welcome to the Kingdom!’ spoken in every language on the planet! Teammates, get ready, the Kingdom is coming!”
SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom
Sports
New York City’s Largest Indoor Pickleball Destination Opens in THE PENN DISTRICT on April 15th as Life Time Expansion Continues
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — As New Yorkers’ passion for pickleball and all things wellness continues to grow, Life Time (NYSE: LTH), is bringing an entirely new experience to office workers, commuters and neighborhood residents in the heart of THE PENN DISTRICT, with the opening of Life Time PENN 1 on April 15.
The completion of the 54,000-square-foot luxury athletic club transforms the street level experience of the recently redeveloped 2.5-million-square-foot PENN 1 office tower with the debut of seven, street level pickleball courts – the most in New York City – along with the unveiling of a massive space for Life Time’s exclusive Alpha, GTX, and UltraFit signature group training programs. The pickleball courts are available for reservations for open play, mixers, leagues, clinics and tournaments and the training space will offer more than 50 classes weekly by the city’s top coaches and personal trainers.
“Life Time continues to gain tremendous momentum across Manhattan and Brooklyn because of our incredible people, programs and places, including this new iconic destination at PENN 1,” said Parham Javaheri, Chief Property Development Officer and President of Club Operations. “The transformation of The PENN DISTRICT has been exhilarating to watch under the expertise of Vornado Realty Trust and brings Life Time to a whole new level in New York. We’re proud to be the wellness anchor for this entire area.”
The opening of the pickleball and training space complements Life Time’s thriving Class Collection boutique studios with nearly 60 classes offered weekly, and a functional training floor featuring state-of-the-art cardio and strength-based equipment, and dedicated spaces for recovery, relaxation and stretching with Life Time’s Dynamic Personal Training team. Members also have access to luxurious dressing rooms with saunas showers, plush amenities and complimentary lockers, and a juice bar with Life Time’s proprietary nutritional products. In total, the club covers a portion of three floors of the office tower.
As part of the redeveloped 55-story building, which sits directly atop Penn Station and serves global office tenants, Life Time is readily accessible to hundreds of thousands of daily commuters, visitors and locals alike.
“Life Time PENN 1 is a core piece of our vision for The PENN DISTRICT as a vibrant and welcoming community powered by the highest-quality amenities and operators,” said Glen Weiss, Executive Vice President of Office Leasing and Co-Head of Real Estate at Vornado. “From health and wellness options to an array of dining selections and inspired social spaces, The PENN DISTRICT offers residents, commuters, and visitors endless ways to come together, day and night and we’re thrilled Life Time Pickleball is a part of it.”
Life Time at PENN 1 is located at 250 West 34th Street and is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s open for anyone to join with a Signature Membership or a Premier Membership, which includes pickleball. Both include access to all Life Time destinations nationwide and in Canada. Day passes are also available.
For additional information, visit lifetime.life/PENN1.
In addition to the completion at PENN 1, Life Time continues to grow its presence in New York City with plans to open Life Time Atlantic Avenue on April 19. Additional planned locations include The Brooklyn Tower and Park Avenue South.
Life Time debuted in 2016 with Life Time Sky (605 W. 42nd Street). Since then, the Company has opened at the Ocean Residence in Battery Park (1 West Street); in the former New York Health & Racquet clubs at 23rd Street (Between 5th and 6th), NoHo (62 Cooper Sq.), and Midtown (110 W. 56th Street); the One Wall Street development (29 New Street), and at Front & York in Brooklyn (168 Front St., Brooklyn). Life Time’s opened its first permanent indoor pickleball courts in Manhattan at Life Time Sky in February 2023.
About Life Time®
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The health and wellness pioneer also delivers a range of healthy way of life programs and information via its complimentary Life Time Digital app. The Company’s healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem serve people 90 days to 90+ years old and is supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated professionals. In addition to delivering the best programs and experiences through its clubs, Life Time owns and produces nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country.
About Vornado Trust Realty
Vornado is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with a portfolio of premier New York City office and retail assets and the developer of the new PENN DISTRICT. While concentrated in New York, Vornado also owns the premier assets in both Chicago and San Francisco. Vornado is a real estate industry leader in sustainability, with over 27 million square feet of LEED-certified buildings and over 23 million square feet at LEED Gold or Platinum.
SOURCE Life Time, Inc.
-
Community1 year agoDiana Gregory Talks to us about Diana Gregory’s Outreach Services
-
Senior Pickleball Report1 year ago
ACE PICKLEBALL CLUB TO DEBUT THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED INDOOR PICKLEBALL FRANCHISES IN THE US, IN EARLY 2023
-
Entertainment1 year ago
The Absolute Most Comfortable Pickleball Shoe I’ve Ever Worn!
-
Automotive1 year ago
2023 Nissan Sentra pricing starts at $19,950
-
Blog1 year ago
Unique Experiences at the CitizenM
-
Senior Pickleball Report1 year ago
“THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS OF PICKLEBALL” – VOTING OPEN
-
City8 months ago
Signal Hill, California: A Historic Enclave Surrounded by Long Beach
-
Blog1 year ago
Assistory Showing Support on Senior Assist Day
