Hollywood Meets Pickleball: The Calabasas Pickleball Club recently hosted an event that underscored just how far pickleball has permeated American culture, reaching even Hollywood. On November 16, the Entertainment Pickleball League (EPL) wrapped up its championship tournament with some notable names from the entertainment world stepping up to the court.
A Hollywood Affair
The tournament, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, featured a range of teams that represented some of the biggest names in entertainment. Among the teams, Disney’s Monster Dinks, NBCUniversal’s Dis-Pickleball Me, CAA’s Dill Makers, The Gersh agency’s Let’s Fcking Gersh*, and Netflix’s Netflix and Dill was in full swing.
The competitive spirit was high, but in the end, it was The Gersh agency’s team that took home the title, defeating Netflix in the final showdown.
Zee Batal, the TV producer who founded the league alongside reality TV showrunner Erica Hanson, reflected on the event’s growth since its inception. “We started with four teams,” said Batal. “Now we have eight. By January, we’ll have 16. Everyone from Amazon to Roku to Sony. The growth of the league speaks volumes about the impact pickleball is having in Southern California’s entertainment scene.
A New Platform for Networking
While pickleball is widely recognized as America’s fastest-growing sport, its influence on Hollywood’s business activities is increasingly evident. Hanson explained that the league offers a unique environment for industry professionals to interact, one that doesn’t revolve around typical business pressures. “It’s fantastic to see this sense of community and connecting,” Hanson said, highlighting the league’s role in fostering new relationships in a relaxed atmosphere.
Batal echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how much easier it is to connect in such an informal setting. “It’s just easier to do business on the pickleball court,” Batal noted. “It’s more social, not as stuffy. If tennis is like boxing, then pickleball is like MMA fighting.”
Pickleball’s Hollywood Future
According to the EPL’s official website, the league is designed as a platform specifically for the entertainment industry. It brings together streamers, agencies, studios, broadcasters, production companies, social media platforms, record labels, and celebrities. The EPL not only serves as a competitive outlet but also as a place for entertainment professionals to network, showcase their skills, and engage with others in their industry.
It’s clear: pickleball, once a humble backyard game, is now a cultural force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As Batal and Hanson’s league continues to grow, so too does the sport’s presence in the entertainment world.
News in Brief: Hollywood Meets Pickleball
On November 16, the Entertainment Pickleball League’s championship tournament brought Hollywood figures together for a unique mix of sport and business. The event, held at Calabasas Pickleball Club, featured teams from major entertainment companies, including Disney, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. The Gersh agency triumphed over Netflix to claim the title. The league, founded by Zee Batal and Erica Hanson, offers a relaxed space for industry professionals to network and collaborate. With its growth, pickleball is becoming an influential part of Southern California’s entertainment scene.
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