Pickleball Franchise Arizona Drive: The Arizona Drive, a Major League Pickleball (MLP) franchise, announced Thursday that a group of investors, including Charles Darling and Tim Fyke of Proton Sports, former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, and financial professional Jeff Tsao, has acquired a controlling stake in the club. The deal values the franchise at over $10 million.
The transaction marks a shift in the team’s ownership, previously led by former NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The stake sold comes from an undisclosed portion of the ownership group.
Rising Value in Major League Pickleball
MLP reported $50 million in revenue in 2024, excluding earnings generated by individual teams, which hold equity stakes in the league. The Arizona Drive’s sale highlights the increasing financial interest in the sport, which has grown rapidly in popularity.
Proton Sports, a Scottsdale-based pickleball paddle manufacturer, is the latest brand to invest in MLP, joining other companies like Anheuser-Busch with the Atlanta Bouncers and Lotto with the Brooklyn Aces. This business model mirrors strategies seen in global leagues like Formula 1.
Expanding the Sport
The 2025 MLP season will feature 10 tournaments across the country, including a Mid-Season Tournament and a two-week playoff event. The season opener will take place in Orlando from April 24-27.
“This ownership-level investment by Proton continues to showcase some of the innovative strategies MLP has been able to implement around brands integrating with our teams.” – (Samin Odhwani, UPA Chief Strategy Officer)
“From Anheuser-Busch with the Atlanta Bouncers to Lotto with the Brooklyn Aces, we are seeing a ton of interest around brands partnering with MLP teams at the highest levels. The fit between Proton and the AZ Drive is perfect, given the local ties in the Arizona community.” – (Samin Odhwani)
Proton Sports, founded in Scottsdale, produces equipment like paddles, softball bats, and bags. The company launched Proton Pickleball in 2024 and has since expanded its presence across all levels of the sport, from grassroots pickleball facilities to professional leagues.
A League of Celebrities and Professionals
Major League Pickleball has more than 100 professional players spread across 22 franchises. Its ownership groups include at least 75 celebrities, showcasing the growing appeal and prestige of the league.
The AZ Drive’s new ownership group is expected to bring innovation and community-focused strategies to the club, solidifying its position as a key player in the league’s expanding ecosystem of indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, elite pickleball tournaments, and advanced pickleball strategies.
News in Brief: Pickleball Franchise Arizona Drive
The Arizona Drive, a Major League Pickleball team, has been sold to a group of investors, including Proton Sports and former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, at a valuation of over $10 million. The sale reflects the sport’s growing popularity and its appeal to brands and high-profile investors.
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