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Senior Pickleball Report

SEVEN-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION AND TENNIS HALL OF FAMER HEADLINE OWNERSHIP GROUP OF MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL EXPANSION TEAM

An ownership group headlined by 5-time NFL Super Bowl MVP quarterback and entrepreneur Tom Brady and Former World No.1 tennis player Kim Clijsters has purchased an expansion team for the 2023 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season.

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Tom Brady and Kim Clijsters join Knighthead Capital Management, LLC in the Purchase of a Major League Pickleball (MLP) Team

PRNewswire/ — An ownership group headlined by 5-time NFL Super Bowl MVP quarterback and entrepreneur Tom Brady and Former World No.1 tennis player Kim Clijsters has purchased an expansion team for the 2023 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season. The group, led by Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, includes co-founder of Knighthead Tom Wagner, acclaimed producer Matt Alvarez, Wall Street bond saleswoman Callie Simpkins, and financial advisor Kaitlyn Kerr, who will serve as General Manager.

“Tom Brady, Kim Clijsters, and Knighthead Capital Management are champions in their fields and will now be champions for Major League Pickleball,” said MLP Founder Steve Kuhn. “What really shines through in working with these amazing individuals is their passion for the sport. We are thrilled to welcome them to our unrivaled roster of strategic partners, who are individually and collectively instrumental in helping us elevate professional pickleball, showcase the joy it brings to millions of people around the globe, and further our ’40 by 30′ campaign – our mission to reach 40 million pickleball players by 2030.”

The expansion team is a part of a three-pronged growth plan for 2023, which will see 12 teams grow to 16, three events double to six, and player prize money and payouts surpass $2M. MLP is the standard-bearer for pickleball in the United States, delivering the highest-quality and most exciting experience in the sport as well as the largest prize money payouts per event to its players.

“Of course, I’m excited at the investment opportunity,” said Clijsters, the six-time tennis Grand Slam Champion who regularly plays pickleball with Simpkins and Kerr. “But what excites me the most about becoming an MLP owner is that I get to help shape the future of pickleball, a sport I have come to love, with great people – who also happen to be some of my best friends. I’m thrilled to help showcase professional pickleball and make an impact on the sport through my experience gained in the top levels of professional tennis.”

Watch the 2022 MLP season finale in Columbus this weekend, Oct. 14-16, on YouTube, MSG Networks, and CBS Sports Network

With the investment from Clijsters, Simpkins, and Kerr, the new team will also be 50% female-owned, a testament to the league’s foundational mission of gender equality. MLP is one of, if not the only professional sports league where men and women compete on equal footing. Co-ed teams play two rounds of mixed doubles, in addition to men’s and women’s doubles, and could even have men and women face off against each other in singles in a Dreambreaker™, a unique tiebreaker only found in MLP.

The ownership group adds even more credibility to MLP’s already stacked roster of high-profile owners and strategic partners, who offer unparalleled expertise across marketing, media, entertainment, branding, and more.

Other team owners and partners include NBA icons LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love, Super Bowl Champion Drew Brees, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee), famed lecturer and research professor Brené Brown, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks Marc Lasry, former World No.4 tennis player James Blake, healthcare executive Molly Joseph, and from Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York and Founder and CEO of Serhant, Ryan Serhant.

The 2022 MLP season finale will see 48 players descend on Columbus, Ohio from October 14-16 to compete for the largest single-event prize purse ($319,000) in the history of pickleball, with the winning team taking home $100,000. Fans can attend the event live at Pickle & Chill in Columbus or catch all the action on YouTube globally, MSG Networks in NY, NJ, CT, and PA (group play, quarterfinals and semifinals – Friday-Sunday) and CBS Sports Network (finals – Sunday at 7:30pm ET).

Major League Pickleball

For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit MajorLeaguePickleball.net and follow Major League Pickleball on FacebookTwitterInstagramTikTokPinterest and YouTube.




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Pickleball Kingdom Expands into Atlanta, Georgia

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ATLANTA /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom, the premier brand in indoor pickleball, is thrilled to announce its expansion into Atlanta, Georgia. Led by passionate sports enthusiasts Nithi and Usha Anand, this move aims to bring the joy of pickleball to the vibrant community of Atlanta, catering to individuals of all ages and skill levels.

“We’re thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Atlanta with our indoor franchise locations,” stated Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. “Atlanta has a vibrant community, and we know the Anand family are the perfect ambassador for the sport.”

Pickleball Kingdom, known for its commitment to providing top-notch indoor facilities for pickleball players, is excited to introduce its renowned brand to Atlanta. With a focus on holistic health and the belief that movement is medicine, Nithi and Usha Anand are dedicated to creating a pickleball community where leading a healthy lifestyle is not only encouraged but also enjoyable for everyone.

“We are delighted to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Atlanta and contribute to the development of a thriving pickleball community in this area,” said Nithi and Usha Anand, franchise leaders of Pickleball Kingdom in Atlanta. “Our vision is to provide a welcoming space where individuals can engage in this exciting sport, improve their fitness, and connect with others who share a passion for pickleball.”

Pickleball, a paddle sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Recognizing the growing demand for accessible indoor facilities, Pickleball Kingdom is committed to offering state-of-the-art courts equipped with technology to enhance the playing experience for enthusiasts in Atlanta.

Calling Franchisees

The expansion into Atlanta will offer individuals the opportunity to experience the excitement of pickleball in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Pickleball Kingdom invites aspiring entrepreneurs who share their passion for promoting active lifestyles to join them in this exciting venture as franchise partners.

“Similar to the rest of the country, the high demand for indoor pickleball in Atlanta metro is evident,” emphasized Rob Streett, COO of Pickleball Kingdom. “We are on the lookout for more ambitious partners who recognize the vast opportunities in the indoor pickleball industry. If you’re interested in seizing this opportunity, let’s connect.”

www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise 

About Pickleball Kingdom:

Pickleball Kingdom is the largest indoor pickleball entity in the world. They are dedicated to providing exceptional facilities and fostering vibrant pickleball communities across the country. With a focus on promoting active lifestyles and building strong connections within communities, Pickleball Kingdom is committed to making pickleball accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

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USTA MID-ATLANTIC FOUNDATION APPLAUDS APPROVAL OF ZONING APPLICATION FOR VILLAGE AT CLEAR SPRINGS

Decision and $2.5 million grant award are critical next steps for USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus

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LEESBURG, Va. /PRNewswire/ — The USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus – a planned best-in-class hub for health, wellness and community-building through sport – is now a critical step closer with the decision by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to approve the zoning application for the Village at Clear Springs. A key amenity within the Village at Clear Springs, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus will offer a transformative upgrade of indoor and outdoor courts and resources that will make it a year-round regional hub for economic growth and engaging environments that positively enhance lives.

In addition to the approval, the USTA has pledged $2.5 million in grant funding to the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation to invest in this critical, community-based infrastructure and support the mission to grow tennis.

“USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation celebrates the approval of the zoning application for the Village at Clear Springs,” said Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Chief Executive Officer, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. “This important decision along with an unprecedented funding commitment are crucial steps forward that allow us to succeed in our ambitious vision to increase access to tennis for all people providing physical, social and emotional health benefits for today’s youth and adults of all ages.”

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus is planned to be open to the public and will feature 21 outdoor tennis courts, including a stadium center court, 10 indoor tennis courts, 8 outdoor pickleball courts and 12 indoor pickleball courts which will also be used for youth tennis, cardio tennis and beginner tennis instruction for adults. The tennis campus will feature space for fitness, wellness programs, community gatherings and large-scale competitions and events. It will serve as an accessible hub for health, education and fun, while being an important economic engine estimated to generate $8.5 million annually in economic impact. 

“One of the most important aspects of the tennis campus is the ability to extend into the community and activate the higher benefits of sport among those who may be under-resourced,” said Beth Twomey, Chief Operating Officer, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. “Especially fundamental to the vision for the campus are community outreach and education programs that will help under-resourced youth and support schools through tennis, education and physical activity. We have built strong relationships in the county and are already taking action, now we can build on this momentum to create long-term and sustainable approaches through tennis and sport that create community, character, and well-being for all.”

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation has invested $10 million in the project and is actively seeking lead corporate sponsors and donors to help achieve the vision and be an instrumental part of the tennis campus. The tennis campus project is anticipated to cost $42 million and the groundbreaking is planned for 2025.

For more information about the tennis campus, including ways to get involved visit https://ustamidatlantictenniscampus.com/.

View the tennis campus renderings here.

About USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation:
USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Our mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. Our vision is tennis in EVERY community. For 100 years USTA Mid-Atlantic has been the leader for tennis in the region. We operate leagues, tournaments, and other outreach programs and events throughout the region for more than 30,000 adult and youth members in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and eastern and southern West Virginia. We support the community providers, facilities, and coaches that directly deliver the sport.

Follow us on social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/ustamidatlantic/
https://www.instagram.com/ustamidatlantic/

SOURCE USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

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RACKETPAL: LEADING UK SPORTS TECH BUSINESS ACHIEVES SIGNIFICANT USER GROWTH AND LAUNCHES STRATEGIC REVIEW

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LONDON /PRNewswire/ — RacketPal, a leading UK sports tech business, today announces that the Company has achieved a number of significant growth milestones and has launched a strategic review to ensure that the business continues to develop and grow, both here in the UK and internationally (the “Strategic Review”). 

Founded in 2019, London-headquartered RacketPal is the largest racket sports community in the UK that helps players be more physically active by encouraging them to be part of active communities, find local partners and games, book coaching lessons and join nearby clubs and venues. The business has previously raised millions of pounds, and the tech behind the RacketPal platform is of the highest calibre and is fully scalable – a new sport can be added very quickly with only a few clicks.

RacketPal has achieved significant user growth (126% year-on-year), with over 125,000 registered users; 6,000 club communities have been created to date.  The business recently launched a B2B offering which helps venues, clubs and leisure centres increase sport participation and bookings.

In the last 12 months, RacketPal has rolled out a number of product enhancements, such as wearables and contacts integration, double leagues, communities section, court booking shortcuts, added 5 new racket sports and implemented various safeguarding and safekeeping initiatives on the platform.

Robert Rizea, CEO and Co-founder of RacketPal, said “Our mission is to be the largest and most engaged sports community in the world; we have focused first on racket sports as there are 7 million racket sports players in the UK and 800 million players worldwide, but our platform can easily be adapted to cover any sport. We have achieved incredible growth and we are excited about what the future holds for us.”.

The Strategic Review includes RacketPal reviewing all its options, such as a growth investment and a full sale of the business. Exploratory conversations have already commenced with a number of potential domestic and international firms. The Strategic Review is being handled exclusively by Lazarus Consulting, the boutique M&A advisory firm.

ABOUT RACKETPAL

Launched in 2019 and available on the web, iOS and Android, RacketPal is a racket sports community where users can find local racket sports players, courts, clubs and instructors in seconds. RacketPal currently covers Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, Squash, Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Racquetball and Platform Tennis. Prior to launching RacketPal, Robert Rizea, RacketPal‘s Co-founder and CEO, was a No 1 ranked tennis player in Romania for 6 years. Please see www.racketpal.co.uk for more information.

ABOUT LAZARUS CONSULTING

Lazarus Consulting is an award-winning boutique advisory firm offering Business Development, Capital Raising, Corporate Development, and M&A services to clients primarily in the tech, media, and retail sectors. The firm is the exclusive corporate finance advisor to RacketPal. Please see www.lazarusconsulting.net for more information.

SOURCE RacketPal

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