The rise of racquet sports in the U.S. is real, and a new business called Ballers is looking to capitalize on the growth with the help of $20 million in backing from a group of athletes and investors highlighted by tennis legend Andre Agassi, NBA star Tyrese Maxey, and MLS goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Ballers, which describes itself as a “first-of-its-kind hospitality-driven social sports venue,” will open its first location next month at Philadelphia’s historic Turbine Hall—a sprawling 55,000-square-foot facility that used to be the largest power plant in the city. That location will feature six pickleball courts, three padel courts, two squash courts, a turf field, four golf simulators, and a putting green, among other amenities.
The company plans to open additional locations, including one in Boston later in the summer and another in Miami by the first quarter of 2026. The team has big aspirations, with hopes of expanding to more than 50 locations within the next decade.
Ballers was created by David Gutstadt and Amanda Potter of real estate and hospitality firm Good City Studio—which has helped develop, design, and operate other projects in Philadelphia, including the Fitler Club and the Bellevue Hotel—alongside real estate-focused private equity outfit Vero Capital.
The idea, on the surface, is similar to Topgolf, Spin (ping pong), or Poolhouse (billiards), but with a more upscale vibe.
“We want Ballers to be the brand people think of when they think of social sports,” Gutstadt tells Front Office Sports.
In addition to the sports courts and fields, Ballers locations will have gyms and recovery centers, restaurants and art.
“It’s not just about coming, playing pickle or padel, and going home,” adds Dan Bassichis, co-founder of Ballers.
The sports aspect is the opening hook, however, and the group has chosen sports that are on the rise, and which basically anyone can play. The global pickleball market is expected to reach $9.1 billion by 2034, up from $2.2 billion in 2024, according to a recent report from research guide Market.US. Padel is also growing. In 2019 there were fewer than 20 courts in the U.S., compared to more than 450 today, according to Padel USA.
The $20 million funding will be announced Monday. It’s led by investment firms Sharp Alpha and RHC Group, and features an impressive roster of athletes and celebrities, including Agassi and fellow professional tennis players Kim Clijsters and Sloane Stephens and 76ers co-owner David Blitzer. The group also includes current and former 76ers players like Maxey, Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, and Mo Bamba, and former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins, plus Paes.
Maxey was so impressed by the facility in Philadelphia that it’s where he is planning to hold the gala for his foundation—the Tyrese Maxey Foundation—according to Briones.
“Maxey saw the space and said, ‘Yes, I want to invest, but can this also be the anchor for my foundation?’” Briones tells FOS. “We’re now planning to host his foundation gala, pickleball tournaments, and raise money together. This isn’t just an investment; it’s a space to do a lot of good things.”
Netherlands-born Paes, who in addition to serving as goalie for FC Dallas is an avid padel player, came to the U.S. four years ago and was shocked to see how few padel courts existed.
“In Europe it’s this huge disrupting sport right now,” he tells FOS. “I couldn’t believe it wasn’t big in the U.S. yet.”
He was actually thinking about launching his own padel business before a mutual connection reached out and told him about Ballers. “The beautiful thing we want to build with Ballers is a place where people can come together, and build a community,” Paes says.
