Premier Level Major League Pickleball Teams: Major League Pickleball (MLP) is gaining even more attention as athletes, celebrities, and business leaders invest in new teams across the U.S. From Miami to St. Louis, these owners are helping MLP grow quickly by bringing energy, fans, and support to the fast-growing sport.
Miami Pickleball Club Brings Star Power
Miami Pickleball Club (MPC) started in 2022. The team is owned by tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, musician Kygo, football champion Patrick Mahomes, sports agent Rich Paul, and others.
Miami is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., making it a great place for a new team. Some owners, including Kygo’s company, Palm Tree Crew, live in Miami and are dedicated to growing the MPC brand and the sport in South Florida.
New Jersey 5s Fueled by Local Passion
The New Jersey 5s formed in 2022, led by Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Harwood. Gary V grew up in New Jersey and has long dreamed of owning a sports team. Ryan Harwood is a former college tennis player who quickly became interested in pickleball.
They were both inspired by MLP’s vision and wanted to be part of a league that is growing faster than any other sport in the country.
Orlando Squeeze Backed by NBA Owners
The Orlando Squeeze launched in 2023 with the DeVos family as owners. The DeVos family has owned the Orlando Magic basketball team since 1991. Their long experience in sports makes them strong leaders in MLP.
They are committed to the city of Orlando and want to support both basketball and pickleball.
Phoenix Flames Focus on Winning
The Phoenix Flames are led by Charles Darling and co-owner Tim Fyke of Proton Sports. Financial experts Jeff and Chrissy Tsao also help run the team.
This group built the team to reflect strength and strategy. They are focused on making the Flames a top-performing franchise.
SoCal Hard 8s Inspired by a Casino Bond
The SoCal Hard 8s started in early 2022 with Timothy Parks, Rick Chan, and three other friends who met in New York City. They shared a love of sports and games, especially craps.
After attending an MLP event in Austin in 2021, they became excited about joining the league. A year and a half later, the Hard 8s are more popular than they ever imagined.
St. Louis Shock Supports Local Growth
The St. Louis Shock began in 2023. It is owned by Richard Chaifetz and his family, with Ross Chaifetz running team operations. Richard is the founder of ComPsych, the world’s largest employee support company.
The Chaifetz family has given back to St. Louis through schools, sports, and business. Their group also invests in other sports like Team Liquid and the Drone Racing League.
What This Means for Pickleball’s Future
Pickleball’s future looks bright. With help from famous and passionate owners, more fans are joining the sport. These teams bring local pride and big names that help MLP grow. As teams form and more cities join, pickleball is quickly becoming a national sport.
News in Brief: Premier Level Major League Pickleball Teams
Major League Pickleball is growing fast as stars like Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, and Gary Vaynerchuk invest in teams. From Miami to St. Louis, new owners are bringing energy, fans, and business support to the sport. This rise in support is helping MLP become a major force in U.S. sports.
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