The 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships will mark a new era as leadership transitions from Jim Ludwig to Mike Dee. The tournament has been held in East Naples Community Park, Florida, for nearly a decade and attracts 50,000 spectators each year.
Legacy of Jim Ludwig
Jim Ludwig is a well-known figure in Southwest Florida’s pickleball community, credited with the development of the largest dedicated pickleball facility in the world. In 2010, he began playing at Lakewood Country Club, and by 2018, he had transformed East Naples Community Park into a 64-court facility to accommodate the growing number of players. “I was going to the county saying, ‘I want to build 10 [more] courts,’” Jim recalls, illustrating the increasing popularity of the sport in the area.
New Leadership with Mike Dee
Mike Dee, a seasoned sports executive with experience in the NFL and MLB, will now lead the tournament. He aims to maintain the accessible culture that has made pickleball so popular while also preparing for its evolution as a competitive sport.
“We’re never going to risk tinkering with the formula—the culture, the core audience of people who come to play and watch pickleball. It seems pretty simple, but nobody’s been able to replicate it.” – (Mike)
Dee’s plans include subtle changes to improve the tournament experience, such as a larger player pool and new software for managing brackets and court assignments. His vision is to expand participation to 6,000 players and enhance the tournament’s presence in the community.
Future of Pickleball in Naples
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, Mike Dee is committed to keeping Naples as the sport’s epicenter. This fall, a new academy will open under former Top 30 pro Justin Romero, providing training opportunities for casual players and aspiring competitors. “There’s only one US Open and one facility where it’s played,” Mike states, reinforcing the significance of Naples in the sport’s history.
The US Open will also focus on maintaining a balance between amateur and professional play, as Mike believes, “The central nervous system of pickleball is amateur play.”
The transition in leadership marks an important moment for the US Open Pickleball Championships and the sport itself. As it continues to evolve, the combination of innovative management and a commitment to community engagement will ensure that Naples remains a pivotal location in the world of pickleball.
News in Brief: US Open Pickleball Championships
The US Open Pickleball Championships will see a leadership change as Mike Dee takes over from Jim Ludwig. The pickleball tournament, held at East Naples Community Park, aims to maintain its accessible culture while expanding participation to 6,000 players. New training opportunities will also be introduced.
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