• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Major League Pickleball Announces New Owners, League Format

  • Former ATP player Sam Querrey was first overall draft selection.
  • Celebrities Eva Longoria, Michael Phelps, Kate Upton among team owners.
Former ATP tennis player Sam Querrey returns shot
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The list of celebrity pickleball team owners keeps getting longer — and is becoming increasingly diverse across entertainment industries.

On Monday, Major League Pickleball held its Challenger Level draft, where owners selected the players for their teams.

With the first pick in the draft, the D.C. Pickleball Team —whose newly announced owners include actress Eva Longoria, soccer player Mesut Özil, model Kate Upton, and baseball player Justin Verlander — selected Sam Querrey, a former ATP tennis player making his debut in pro pickleball.

Other new team owners are similarly spread across the entertainment world.

  • NBA players Devin Booker and Jeremy Lin
  • Former NFL player Larry Fitzgerald
  • Tennis legend Chris Evert
  • Fashion model Heidi Klum
  • Country music star Dierks Bentley

American swimming legend Michael Phelps was also recently added as an owner, per Bloomberg.

“The diversity in the backgrounds and expertise of our fantastic new owners is an incredible asset as we aggressively expand Major League Pickleball to reach more fans than ever,” said MLP Interim CEO Brian Levine. “We always say pickleball brings people together, and this roster of leaders from across a wide variety of industries is a strong testament to that philosophy.”

For the first MLP season, all 12 Challenger Level teams will play each other in the first half of the season before switching to the Premier Level for the second half, and vice versa.

After the results of the 2023 season are finalized, the Premier and Challenger Level will be locked in for the 2024 season — where they will be subject to a promotion and relegation system going forward.

Following the expansion to 24 teams, MLP is offering up to $5 million in prize money and payouts for the 2023 season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Everyone in Sports Wants to Be an Owner

The new brass ring for everyone in sports.

Cattle Dermatitis Outbreak Forces Tour de France Route Change

The Tour cut two climbs and shortened the stage by 35 km.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball up court ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers’ $10B Valuation Is Historic, but Not Surprising. What Happens Next?

Details about the deal’s structure and the team’s future are scarce.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson basketball and the Dallas Wings logo during the game between the Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
September 11, 2025

Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges WNBA to End CBA Stalemate

The league and WNBPA must reach an agreement by Oct. 31.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks in a press conference during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.
September 11, 2025

Silver Says Free Highlights Are an Issue As NBA Begins $77B Deal

Silver called basketball a “highlight-based sport.”
September 11, 2025

Greg Norman Leaves LIV As Golf World Continues to Shift

Norman relinquished the league’s CEO role in January.
September 11, 2025

Trump’s Golf Empire Grows With 5th Big Tournament in 2 Years

The DP World Tour is heading to Trump International Golf Links Ireland.
September 11, 2025

Kaprizov’s Record Contract Rejection Highlights NHL’s New World

The declined contract would have set records for overall and annual value.