Pickleball in the News
Steve Kuhn is a very busy man. In addition to being the founder of MLP (Major League Pickleball), Kuhn founded DUPR, the newest pickleball rating system, and opened Dreamland in Dripping Springs, Texas, a multi-recreation facility featuring music, art, food, and sports activities, including fifteen pickleball courts. In his spare time, Mr. Kuhn has also attracted three of the most iconic names in present-day sports, Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, arguably one of the best NBA players of all time, and NFL future Hall of Famers, Drew Brees, and the GOAT, Tom Brady!
On World Pickleball Day, October 10, 2022, Kuhn forwarded an open letter to pickleball players everywhere announcing his “40 by 30 Project” with a goal of attracting forty million players to the sport by 2030. Kuhn believes pickleball has the power to enrich people’s lives, and in the letter, he relates his personal experience with the sport, “An experience that could not be more inclusive, more equitable, more welcoming and just more fun.”
In Mr. Kuhn’s vision, pickleball has the potential “to save this country, and maybe even the world.” Perhaps a bit of hyperbole, but a concept that others are buying into.
Tom Brady Joins Drew Brees and LeBron James in MLB Team Ownership Ranks
Tom Brady has dominated sports news since his premature retirement last February 1. Forty days and nights later, he rescinded that announcement and decided to return to the Buccaneers for a 23rd NFL season. Shortly after that, in the wake of Brady’s decision, Bruce Arians stepped down as head coach, replaced by Todd Bowles. Some cited friction between Arians and Brady as contributing to Arians’ decision.
Brady was mysteriously absent from parts of training camp. Speculation was rampant. Had he reversed his decision again, or was he to appear on Masked Singer. Brady eventually cleared the air, letting the world know he was vacationing with his wife, Gisele, and their children in the Bahamas. However, news continues to swirl about Brady, his Buccaneer’s 3 and 2 start in 2022, his performance, and his personal life.
Now, Brady, the 45-year-old greatest of all time quarterback, and Kim Clijsters, former world №1 tennis player, have joined the ownership ranks of Kuhn’s Major League Pickleball (MLP). Brady and Clijsters are part of a group that has bought ownership in a 2023 Major League Pickleball (MLP) expansion team. They join the ownership ranks along with the likes of Drew Brees, LeBron James, Draymond Green, Kevin Love, Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, and another ex-tennis pro, James Blake.
MLP represents the latest step in Brady’s retirement strategy that includes, Autograph, BRADY, and TB 12, which markets nutrition products, apparel, and athletic equipment. Once the seven-time Super Bowl champion finally stops taking snaps in the NFL, he will move to the press box as Fox Sports’ lead analyst. According to an article in the New York Post, Brady’s contract with Fox is for $375 million over ten years. That will finance a lot of pickleballs!
Details regarding the teams to be owned by Brady, Brees, and LeBron have yet to be announced. What we do know is that MLP, founded in 2021, will expand from its current twelve-team format to sixteen teams in 2023. The number of events in 2023 will double to six, and prize money will surpass $2 million.
Kuhn, the consummate pickleball advocate, has reached out to the tennis community, stating that as individuals, tennis players who are not ranked in the top 200 can earn more money competing in pickleball. Scan the ranks of the top pickleball professionals, and it appears tennis players are listening.
So, why are These Athletes Buying Into MLP
Perhaps it’s as simple as “For the Love of the Game,” apologies to Billy Chapel, aka Kevin Costner. Kim Clijsters relates that she has come to love the sport and is thrilled to help shape the future of pickleball. Brady is looking for ways to extend his professional sports career into his 50s, 60s, and even 70s; “I’m coming to win. I’m coming to dominate the sport. Pickleball, let’s go!” Others have undoubtedly watched the owners of professional sports franchises grow rich and appreciate the investment opportunity.
No sport is gaining in popularity as rapidly as pickleball. Pickleball appeals to people of all ages, has no gender bias, is relatively easy to learn, social, and fun. Although attendance and viewership may be small today, if Mr. Kuhn’s projections are accurate, this could be a long-term return on investment strategy for the new owners.
Who’s Next to Buy In — Celebrity Battle of the Paddle
So, who will Kuhn target next for ownership of an MLP team? It’s tough to predict as the celebrities addicted to pickleball reads like a “Who’s Who” of Hollywood A-listers, business tycoons, and professional athletes. The Kardashians, Leonardo, Ellen, George Clooney, and Bill Gates are all avid picklers. So are Michael Phelps and Larry Fitzgerald.
Recently the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) held the “Celebrity Battle of the Paddle” in Dallas, featuring celebs and pros competing in televised exhibition matches. Dirk Nowitzki (retired NBA), Tony Romo (retired NFL), Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler (current PGA professionals), and John Isner (former tennis professional) competed with and against one another, joined by current PPA top professionals. Nowitzki, 7’, and Isner, 6’10”, teamed up against Spieth and Scheffler, winning the first match. It almost appeared the two 7-footers were playing on a ping pong table! But, in true pickleball equality fashion, Spieth and Scheffler won the play-back round, proving the importance of hand-eye coordination in the sport versus size.
Did anyone else notice Romo’s interaction and response to the game? With limited time on the court, Romo was the obvious odd-man-out in skill level. However, after several points, you could see Romo grow more comfortable and start to hit better shots, especially his backhand topspin groundstroke. One could almost feel his appreciation for the game growing by the minute and the competitive juices starting to flow. Romo then returned to the more familiar press box, where he literally took over as commentator for the next several games. We think Las Vegas should set the over/under as six months for Romo to join the ownership ranks.
And, as good as Kevin Costner is at baseball, golf, and his first love, basketball, Kuhn needs to recruit him to pickleball.
