Sarasota’s The Pickleball Club Closes Doors: The Pickleball Club, a Sarasota-based company that planned to invest $180 million in opening 15 high-end pickleball centers across Florida, has shut down. The announcement came in a LinkedIn post, with the closure immediately affecting its locations in Lakewood Ranch and Port St. Lucie.
“It is with great sadness that we must announce that we have closed the company. We did not have sufficient financial resources to continue operations. We have started the process of liquidating the company assets, including our two club locations in Lakewood Ranch and Port St. Lucie.” – (LinkedIn post)
Closure of Established Centers
As of Tuesday, the 33,000-square-foot Lakewood Ranch facility was closed. Located at 1300 Sarasota Center Blvd., its parking lot was empty, and a sign on the door confirmed the closure. Just days earlier, on December 16, the company had promoted an elite pickleball league starting in January on its Instagram page.
The Port St. Lucie location also shut down. Founder and CEO Brian McCarthy did not respond to calls or texts seeking comment, and calls to the Lakewood Ranch facility’s still-active customer service line went to voicemail.
Background and Expansion Plans
The Pickleball Club was founded in 2019 by Brian McCarthy, a U.S. Navy veteran with a background in engineering. The company opened its first location in Lakewood Ranch in 2022 after construction began in September 2021.
Over the years, the company made significant investments in land purchases and new club announcements. Sites included Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Pinellas Park, Orlando, Venice, and more. The company reportedly spent $2.8 million on a 5.5-acre parcel in Venice and $1.75 million on a Pinellas Park property.
Despite these efforts, financial difficulties ultimately led to the company’s closure. The LinkedIn post indicated that several locations are fully permitted and ready for development. Interested buyers are encouraged to contact Matt Gordon, a New York investment banker and company partner.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
The sudden closure leaves local pickleball players without access to the high-end facilities the company promised. The decision also halts the development of new locations in areas like the Villages and St. Lucie West.
The company’s statement about liquidating assets and selling locations suggests some of its projects could continue under new ownership. However, the closure raises concerns about the risks of large-scale investments in niche sports facilities.
McCarthy’s silence has left many unanswered questions, but the company’s statement highlights a common challenge for ambitious startups: securing sufficient resources to sustain operations and growth.
News in Brief: Sarasota’s The Pickleball Club Closes Doors
The Pickleball Club, a Sarasota-based company, has shut down after facing financial difficulties, despite plans to invest $180 million in 15 high-end pickleball centers across Florida. The closure immediately impacted its Lakewood Ranch and Port St. Lucie locations.
Founded in 2019 by Brian McCarthy, the company had expanded with plans for more facilities in cities like Venice and Orlando. Despite significant investments in land, the company was unable to continue operations. The sudden closure leaves local pickleball players without access to these facilities, and some development projects may continue under new ownership if investors step forward.
