• Loading stock data...
Thursday, June 19, 2025

Tom Brady, Kim Clijsters Buy Major League Pickleball Team

  • Brady, Clijsters, and Knighthead Capital Management LLC are the latest to buy into MLP.
  • A group headlined by NBA stars LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love bought another expansion team.
tom-brady-kim-Clijsters
Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports / WTA

Major League Pickleball is adding another sports GOAT to its roster of owners.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is part of an ownership group of an expansion team that will begin play in the 2023 MLP season.

Brady isn’t the only big player getting in on the hottest new professional sports league, which will see its ranks expand from 12 to 16 teams before next season.

  • Six-time tennis Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters is the other big-name athlete in the ownership group. She’s most excited about getting to “help shape the future of pickleball.”
  • The group, led by Knighthead Capital Management LLC, also includes Knighthead co-founder Tom Wagner, film producer Matt Alvarez, and Wall Street bond saleswoman Callie Simpkins.
  • Financial advisor Kaitlyn Kerr is also part of the group and will serve as the team’s general manager.

The new team will be 50% female-owned, aligning with the league’s push for gender equality.

LeBron-James-Draymond-Green-Kevin-Love

NBA Stars Buying Major League Pickleball Team

LeBron James and others buying a Major League Pickleball team.
September 28, 2022

Last month, a group headlined by NBA stars LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love bought another MLP expansion team.

Professional Development

The continued investment in the professional league will likely do wonders for a sport that is dominating recreational circles.

MLP founder Steve Kuhn said these new owners will help “showcase the joy [pickleball] brings to millions of people around the globe” — and further the sport’s goal of having 40 million players by 2030.

Next season, MLP will hand out $2 million in prize money.

For now, though, the league’s teams will compete for the MLP title from Oct. 14-16 — where a sport-record $319,000 purse is up for grabs.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers Sale Stunner: 3 Rapid Reactions

If the Lakers are worth $10 billion, imagine a Cowboys sale price.

NBA’s $77B Rights Deal a Major Factor in $10B Lakers Stunner

The league’s rights deal has a lot to do with soaring valuations.

Panthers Repeat as Stanley Cup Champs, Buoyed by Bold Deadline Move

The second consecutive Cup helps cement the South as a hockey stronghold.
Jun 16, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks starting pitcher Gage Wood (14) celebrates completing a no hitter against the Murray State Racers at Charles Schwab Field.

College World Series Enters Cinderella Era

A series of upsets gives the fast-growing event a new look this year.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.
February 18, 2025

Tiger Woods Signs First PGA Tour Player to Wear Sun Day Red

Karl Vilips will wear Sun Day Red at his season debut at the Mexico Open.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league
February 15, 2025

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.