Lonny Anger Brings Pickleball Court Building: Parkland resident Lonny Anger has launched a new reality show, Court Kings, focusing on building custom pickleball courts. The show debuted across social media on February 6, 2025, with hopes of gaining enough viewership to secure broader distribution. Anger, who also runs Custom Pickleball Courts and construction company Merrick Industrial, self-funded the project after traditional TV studios rejected unsolicited pitches.
From Radio to Construction
Anger spent over 20 years in the radio industry, working as an executive at iHeart Radio before losing his job in 2016. Facing an uncertain future, he transitioned into construction in 2017, co-founding Merrick Industrial.
“I was totally bummed out; depressed and lost at that point.” – (anger)
“Those were exhausting days; trying to balance it all, especially with a family as well. Long days and nights.” – (anger)
The company quickly grew, earning a spot among South Florida’s fastest-growing construction firms in 2021. As an avid reality TV fan, Anger saw an opportunity to combine his love for entertainment with his new business.
The Start of Court Kings
While building pickleball courts, Anger reached out to Tanked star Brett Raymer for advice. Encouraged by their conversation, he pitched a show about designing celebrity pickleball courts.
“I reached out to Brett Raymer, and he responded to me! I told him that I had this pickleball idea, and that I was hoping to gain some guidance from someone who had been there and done it before in reality television.” – (anger)
After receiving no responses from major networks, Anger decided to produce and distribute the show independently through social media. Court Kings showcases the craftsmanship of custom pickleball court construction while capturing the dynamic personalities of Anger’s team.
“He really provided me with some great guidance, and we spoke for about an hour. Also, I had been contacted by the office of an actress in LA that wanted me to build a pickleball court.” – (anger)
“I told them I was unable to because I am only licensed in Florida, but I would be happy to guide them through the process. Once I realized her interest, I just threw out the idea of doing a show around celebrities’ pickleball courts. They asked me to put something together with some ideas, and I sent that off the following day. After that, ‘crickets.'” – (anger)
“We filmed a sizzle reel and wrote a pitch deck. We sent it to every major studio. We got the same response from those who chose to respond with ‘we do not accept unsolicited pitches.'” – (anger)
“So, we pivoted, and decided to try to make this advertiser funded. Despite some very positive conversations, most wanted to see (viewership) numbers. But the problem was we hadn’t aired a show yet, so it was something we could not provide. Ultimately, we decided to fund it ourselves and launch it across all social media platforms.” – (anger)
Building a New Legacy
Today, Anger continues to lead Merrick Industrial while managing Custom Pickleball Courts and promoting Court Kings.
The show aims to showcase the popularity of pickleball and the artistry behind its courts. If the project gains traction, it could attract advertisers and eventually secure a traditional broadcast deal.
Anger lives in Parkland with his wife, Jessica—host of the Parent Coaches Unleashed podcast—and their three children. The family also cherishes their dog, Jimmy, while mourning the recent loss of their beloved pet, Scout.
News in Brief: Lonny Anger Brings Pickleball Court Building
Lonny Anger, a former radio executive turned construction entrepreneur, has launched Court Kings, a reality show about building custom pickleball courts. After facing rejection from major networks, he self-funded the project and released it on social media. The show aims to highlight the sport’s growth and the craftsmanship behind its courts.
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