Celebrity Involvement in MLP: Pickleball, once viewed as a quiet game for older adults, has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. In 2024 alone, Major League Pickleball (MLP) made around $50 million, not counting extra income from individual teams. With celebrity investors, top athletes, and a growing fan base, pickleball is quickly turning into a serious pro sport.
What began as a simple game played with paddles and a plastic ball is now supported by a strong league, major sponsors, and a rising number of professional players. Its fast growth was fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and its simple, fun rules that attract all ages.
From Backyard Game to Big League
Pickleball mixes tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. Its small court and easy-to-learn rules made it perfect for people looking for a new activity during the pandemic. “Post-COVID, for all intents and purposes, pickleball didn’t exist,” said Major League Pickleball Commissioner Samine Adwani. “And now it’s exploded.”
Today, over 20 million people play the sport in the U.S. In 2024, 18,455 new courts opened, and USA Pickleball organized 142 tournaments, including the Biofreeze USA National Championships.
“Pro pickleball came faster than any of us anticipated,” said Samine Adwani. “It’s here, and more than anything else, it’s become real.”
Celebrities and Pro Athletes Join In
Stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Drake, Michael B. Jordan, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Jamie Foxx have invested in MLP teams. Kevin Durant, along with business partner Rich Kleiman, bought a team called the Brooklyn Aces in October 2022.
“We actually had him out playing,” said Samine Adwani. “He’s not great, but he got it — he understood the team element and the crossover appeal.”
Kevin Durant later said he “never thought” he would get into pickleball, but after Kleiman got him on the court, it became a “small passion.”
Each team owner in MLP invests in both a team and in the league, as well as the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. “We think one plus one can equal three,” said Samine Adwani.
Pro players now earn more than $30 million combined, with an average salary of $250,000. “That’s not nothing,” said Samine Adwani. “It allows them to go full-time, to travel, do clinics, and appear at events. That full-time engagement lifts the entire product.”
Jewell Loyd, a WNBA champion, also owns a team based in Miami. “I love both sports,” said Jewell Loyd. “Pickleball is super dynamic, very inclusive, and you can play year-round. The shift is happening.” She sees personal and business value in the sport. “But as a businessperson, you want to see where the wave is going.”
Why Pickleball Works
Pickleball attracts people of all ages and skill levels. “You can go out with your grandparent or three friends, and in ten minutes you’re in a competitive match,” said Samine Adwani.
“It’s that blend — old and young, casual and competitive — that makes it unique.” As the sport grows, more courts are being added to places like tennis clubs and country clubs. In Orlando, the USTA National Campus now includes 10 permanent pickleball courts.
Youth Players and Future Growth
The Junior Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour was launched to help kids get involved early. “We launched it to build from the bottom up,” said Samine Adwani. “The NCAA is always a last mover — but if we can show there’s a base, they’ll sanction it.”
Young players are excited about the sport. “These kids are on their phones tracking their rankings, texting each other: ‘I beat you 11–9!’” said Samine Adwani. “They’re hooked.” One standout is Anna Leigh Waters, who earned $3 million at age sixteen and plays with tennis great Andre Agassi.
Pickleball and Tennis Share the Stage
Pickleball and tennis sometimes clash, especially over court space. “Tennis people are like, ‘I don’t know about pickleball.’ Pickleball people are like, ‘Let us play on your courts,’” said Samine Adwani. “But long term, I think it can be synergistic.” Now, the two sports are finding ways to work together. Talks are in progress to host MLP events at tennis sites like the US Open facility.
Merging Leagues for Bigger Reach
In 2023, Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association were rivals. In 2024, they merged to grow faster and build a clearer story for fans.
Now, PPA events run from August to April, and MLP controls the summer season, from April to August. “Running them back-to-back in the same city didn’t work,” said Samine Adwani. “Now MLP can dominate the summer sports window — where there’s less competition for team sports — and culminate with a championship in Central Park.”
Looking Ahead
What started as a backyard game has turned into a sport with a bright future. With serious funding, celebrity support, and growing media attention, pickleball has become a new force in American sports.
News in Brief: Celebrity Involvement in MLP
Pickleball has grown into a major U.S. sport, with over 20 million players, celebrity investors, and pro athletes. Major League Pickleball made $50 million in 2024 alone. With youth leagues, court expansions, and league mergers, the sport is set to become even more popular across the country.
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