Washington D.C.

Axios D.C.

Washingtonians have loved pickleball for a while, and now we have a professional Major League Pickleball team to root for. 

Why it matters: The League is backed by sports giants including LeBron James and Tom Brady. Eva Longoria, Kate Upton, and NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. are all part of the D.C. team’s ownership group.

Plus, this professional league will test whether local fans of the sport enjoy watching it as much as they love to play.

Driving the news: The D.C. Pickleball Team (yes, that’s the official name) starts its inaugural season today in Mesa, Arizona. They’ll play at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm ET. Depending on how they do, they’ll advance to the next round on Friday.

Stream their matches here. The semifinals and finals will be broadcast on the Tennis Channel.

Meet the team: Each MLP team has four players – two men and two women.

On the D.C. team, former pro tennis player Sam Querrey — who was once ranked 11th in the world — is already ruffling feathers, the Washington Post reports.

Despite being new to pickleball, Querrey predicted that he’d need only three months to become a top 10 player … but then lost his first round of singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches at his first pro pickleball event earlier this month.

The rest of D.C.'s roster includes DMV local Monica Paolicelli, a former JMU soccer player from McLean; former Coastal Carolina tennis player Shelby Bates from Jupiter, Florida; and former competitive tennis player, gamer and racecar driver Stefan Auvergne from Austin, Texas. 

How it works: MLP athletes have the opportunity to earn sponsorships, appearance fees, and up to $5 million in prize money at league events. 

The league's 24 teams represent cities across the U.S., but athletes aren't required to live or regularly practice in the city they play for, per the Post. 

Half of the MLP teams are ranked as Premier, the highest level of play. The remaining teams (including D.C.) are in the Challenger group – described as up-and-coming talents.

💭 Our thought bubble: We’re excited to cheer for our local pickleball team but we need a better name! Send us your suggestions to: dc@axios.com.

How to watch D.C.'s new Major League Pickleball team

The D.C. Pickleball Team plays its first match on Thursday.

Illustration of a pickleball paddle hitting an exploding ball

Washington, D.C.

Washingtonians have loved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/09/16/at-home-pickleball-courts-dc" data-vars-content-id="2279fad6-27a4-4427-9b7f-d0bf0572a1a9" data-vars-headline="How to watch D.C.&#x27;s new Major League Pickleball team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/09/16/at-home-pickleball-courts-dc" target="_self">pickleball</a> for a while, and now we have a professional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major League Pickleball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.majorleaguepickleball.net/" data-vars-content-id="2279fad6-27a4-4427-9b7f-d0bf0572a1a9" data-vars-headline="How to watch D.C.&#x27;s new Major League Pickleball team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.majorleaguepickleball.net/" target="_blank">Major League Pickleball</a> team to root for. Why it matters: The League is backed by sports giants including LeBron James and Tom Brady. Eva Longoria, Kate Upton, and NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. are all part of the D.C. team’s ownership group.

Things to Do

Sports

Raleigh

Axios Raleigh

The pickleball revolution is coming for Raleigh in a big way.

Driving the news: Swing Paddle & Racquet, a company founded by local entrepreneurs Rob Autry and Jason DeGroff, is planning to open a $70 million tennis and pickleball entertainment complex in the Brier Creek area by 2024.

It will be located at 6121 Mt. Herman Road and will include more than 70 courts for pickleball, tennis, padel and other racquet sports.

State of play: The complex has been in the works for years, but more recently has gotten several big boosts.

Last year, influential Raleigh developer John Kane came on board as an investor.

And in February, Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the largest sporting goods makers, was announced as a sponsor. Wilson will run a retail space at Swing as well as a research-and-development center.

Swing Racquet + Paddle is building an ambitious complex for pickleball and tennis in Brier Creek. Photo: Swing Racquet + Paddle

Details: Details: The complex will include: 29 tennis courts, 24 pickleball courts, 16 courts for padel (a Spanish sport that is a mixture of tennis and squash), several beach tennis courts and a ping-pong center.

In addition to the courts, leagues and clinics it will host, socializing will serve as a big feature of the complex. Plans include several eateries and bars for players to congregate at before or after games.

Flashback: Swing is only possible due to a public-private partnership with the city of Raleigh.

Swing will be built on city-owned land thanks to an agreement it signed in 2018, Stephen Bentley, the city’s director of parks, recreation and cultural resources, told Axios.

The city isn't putting funding toward the project but gave the company a 50-year lease on the land. Swing's rent will be $275,000 per year when the facility opens, with a 3% increase annually.The big picture: The pandemic era has seemingly turned pickleball — a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong — into one of sport's hottest businesses.

Twenty-four of Swing's courts will be dedicated to pickleball and Kane cited the sport's surge in popularity as a reason for his investment.

By one measurement, interest in the game shot up by 275% from 2019 to 2022, Axios' Hope King recently reported. Pickleball has proven readily accessible to new players, with people across most age groups picking up the game quickly.

Raleigh developers are placing a big bet on pickleball

Plans include several eateries and bars for players to congregate at before or after games.

Pickleball has exploded in popularity across age ranges in the past few years. Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

The pickleball revolution is coming for Raleigh in a big way.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swing Paddle &amp; Racquet" data-vars-click-url="https://swingnc.com/" data-vars-content-id="29185bb8-8255-4592-bd06-7d0b46927e44" data-vars-headline="Raleigh developers are placing a big bet on pickleball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://swingnc.com/" target="_blank">Swing Paddle &amp; Racquet</a>, a company founded by local entrepreneurs Rob Autry and Jason DeGroff, is planning to open a $70 million tennis and pickleball entertainment complex in the Brier Creek area by 2024.

Real Estate

Phoenix

Axios Phoenix

Big names in sports and entertainment have their eyes fixed on an upcoming athletic event in the Valley. 

No, we're not talking about the Super Bowl. It's the nation's fastest-growing sport: pickleball.

What's happening: Major League Pickleball (MLP), the buzzy pro circuit, is hosting its first competition of the year at Mesa's Bell Bank Park, which kicked off Thursday and will continue through Sunday. 

Why it matters: Professional and recreational pickleball's popularity has exploded, with an 11.5% average annual growth rate among recreational players over the past five years. Celebrities such as Tom Brady, Kevin Durant and Heidi Klum have purchased teams.

The onslaught of interest offers major revenue opportunities for metro Phoenix, where many courts and indoor facilities already exist given the retiree community's early adoption of the sport.

State of play: This weekend's tournament has two levels: the Premier Level, made up of the top 48 players drafted, and the Challenger Level, which consists of the next 48.

Premier teams will all play Friday, with quarterfinals Saturday, semifinals Sunday morning and the final showdown that night. 

The Challenger tournament kicked off Thursday and will conclude on Sunday at 2pm. 

Zoom in: Arizona's MLP team, AZ Drive, is in the Challenger Level and faced the Atlanta Bouncers, Brooklyn Aces and Dallas Pickleball Club Thursday. The Drive won only one match and did not advance to the quarterfinals. 

A group of notable Arizonans, including former Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald, Suns star Devin Booker, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and country music star Dierks Bentley collectively own AZ Drive.

What they're saying: Fitzgerald isn't just a financier — he also picked up the sport as a hobby during the pandemic. And he takes his performance very seriously.

"People pick fights with me and I just finish them," he told 12 News. "You know what I mean? I'm not out here looking for trouble. Like 50 Cent says, 'I don't want any problems, but if you want a problem, no problem. I got you.'"

Be smart: MLP is live-streaming all the games on YouTube.

To see the action in person, buy a single-day ticket for $10 or a full-weekend pass for $35.

Major League Pickleball hosts first event of 2023 in metro Phoenix

Major League Pickleball is hosting its first competition of the year at Mesa's Bell Bank Park.

A logo that says "MLP by Margaritaville Mesa."

Photo: Courtesy of Major League Pickleball

Big names in sports and entertainment have their eyes fixed on an upcoming athletic event in the Valley. No, we&#x27;re not talking about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/10/25/super-bowl-2023-glendale-valley-events-list" data-vars-content-id="446aeacd-2262-44ad-9137-31cd441ab917" data-vars-headline="Major League Pickleball hosts first event of 2023 in metro Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/10/25/super-bowl-2023-glendale-valley-events-list" target="_self">Super Bowl</a>. It&#x27;s the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/01/28/pickleball-is-the-fastest-growing-sport-in-america" data-vars-content-id="446aeacd-2262-44ad-9137-31cd441ab917" data-vars-headline="Major League Pickleball hosts first event of 2023 in metro Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/01/28/pickleball-is-the-fastest-growing-sport-in-america" target="_blank">fastest-growing sport</a>: pickleball.

News

Twin Cities

Axios Twin Cities

The hottest sport in the Twin Cities is pickleball, thanks to a growing interest among young players.

State of play: Public pickleball court usage is way up in the last few years. Cities are beginning to convert tennis courts strictly for pickleball play, and suburban park departments are adding more facilities for the sport. 

Just look at the city of Roseville, which has proposed turning tennis courts at Evergreen Park into six permanent pickleball courts. Chaska added six courts last year. 

But the biggest sign of the sport's growing popularity is in Northeast Minneapolis, where developer Peter Remes' team is putting final touches on what he said will be the biggest pickleball facility in the Twin Cities.

Details: Remes' First & First company bought a 1940s warehouse at 3300 Fifth St. NE that it's turning into Lucky Shots Pickleball Club.

The facility has tons of windows — even on the ceiling — and crews have laid cushion floors and installed 12 courts. They're currently in the process of putting up pads and fences. 

Lucky Shots will also have a food and beverage area with mezzanine seating looking over the courts. It looks like a blast, but the team wasn't ready for Nick to take pictures yet. 

Wait, what's pickleball? It's a mix of tennis, ping-pong and badminton, using paddles and whiffle balls. Watch this video. 

What they're saying: Remes hired Bob Lanzi as the club's general manager. He was previously the adult leagues coordinator for the city of Eden Prairie. 

"The average age of a player in 2012 was over 70 years old," Lanzi said, while giving Nick a Lucky Shots tour in early July. "It's down to age 46 now. A lot of families that are playing, a lot of people in their 20s and 30s are playing. This past year in COVID, pickleball just exploded."

Of note: The total number of national pickleball players went from 600,000 in 2016 to 4.2 million in the past year, according to Sports & Fitness Industry Association numbers. 

What's ahead: The Lucky Shots project has been delayed due to global supply chain issues, most notably with obtaining air conditioners. 

But the goal is to open sometime in August, Remes said. 

Minneapolis' new pickleball club takes aim at sport's rising popularity

Developer Peter Remes' team is putting final touches on what he said will be the biggest pickleball facility in the Twin Cities.

The exterior of Lucky Shots Pickleball Club, a new pickleball facility in Minneapolis.

Lucky Shots Pickleball is almost ready to open, but hold on. Photo: Nick Halter/Axios

The hottest sport in the Twin Cities is pickleball, thanks to a growing interest among young players.State of play: Public pickleball court usage is way up in the last few years. Cities are beginning to convert tennis courts strictly for pickleball play, and suburban park departments are adding more facilities for the sport. <ul><li>Just look at the city of Roseville, which has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cityofroseville.com/3607/Proposed-Permanent-Pickleball-Courts" data-vars-content-id="15d14c10-d0ab-4a96-ac7b-0e4f3a3a7992" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; new pickleball club takes aim at sport&#x27;s rising popularity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cityofroseville.com/3607/Proposed-Permanent-Pickleball-Courts" target="_blank">proposed</a> turning tennis courts at Evergreen Park into six permanent pickleball courts. Chaska <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="added six" data-vars-click-url="https://www.swnewsmedia.com/chaska_herald/news/community/city-serves-new-pickleball-courts-in-lions-park/article_56aec9f3-828e-5898-9570-0fe76428a2ac.html" data-vars-content-id="15d14c10-d0ab-4a96-ac7b-0e4f3a3a7992" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; new pickleball club takes aim at sport&#x27;s rising popularity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.swnewsmedia.com/chaska_herald/news/community/city-serves-new-pickleball-courts-in-lions-park/article_56aec9f3-828e-5898-9570-0fe76428a2ac.html" target="_blank">added six</a> courts last year. </li><li>But the biggest sign of the sport&#x27;s growing popularity is in Northeast Minneapolis, where developer Peter Remes&#x27; team is putting final touches on what he said will be the biggest pickleball facility in the Twin Cities.</li></ul>

San Francisco

Axios San Francisco

Eight new pickleball courts are coming to Larsen Playground in West Portal.

What's happening: The city's Recreation and Park Commission last week unanimously voted to convert existing tennis and basketball courts into dedicated, permanent pickleball courts.

The conversion is estimated to cost up to $300,000.

Context: The city has a number of pickleball courts — including 59 outdoor courts and five indoor facilities — but just 11 dedicated courts. The additional eight courts will bring the total number of dedicated courts to 19.

To unlock the sport for a broader swath of San Franciscans, more dedicated courts are needed, Hans Carter of the San Francisco Pickleball Community previously told Axios.

What they're saying: Some pickleball players are excited about the courts, while others worry Larsen Playground will be too windy to play the sport, which uses a whiffle ball. 

"It's gonna be garbage," pickleball advocate Bill Lafferty told the SF Standard.

But Peg Stevenson of the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco said "it's a huge win" for the pickleball community. 

What's next: The courts are expected to be completed by early next year. 

During construction at Larsen Playground, pickleball players in the area can still play at Stern Grove.

San Francisco is getting more pickleball courts

Eight dedicated, permanent pickleball courts are coming to Larsen Playground in West Portal.

Mike Moffett plays pickleball at the courts near Louis Sutter Playground in McLaren Park. Photo: Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Eight new pickleball courts are coming to Larsen Playground in West Portal.What&#x27;s happening: The city&#x27;s Recreation and Park Commission last week unanimously voted to convert existing tennis and basketball courts into dedicated, permanent pickleball courts.