Sasha Barkov Palm Beach Royals Pickleball: Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov is part of the ownership group for the Palm Beach Royals, the 23rd team in Major League Pickleball (MLP). The team, based in Palm Beach County, will bring professional pickleball matches, youth clinics, and community events to the area.
Barkov, who also owns a stake in his hometown Tampere Tappara club in Finland, lives in Boca Raton and is an avid tennis and pickleball player. The Palm Beach Royals describe themselves as the county’s first major professional sports franchise. No official home venue has been announced yet.
Team Ownership and Valuation
The Palm Beach Royals were acquired for $16 million by Hyperspace Ventures, a group that includes several alumni from the University of North Carolina. Alongside Sasha Barkov, the ownership group features US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, former University of North Carolina basketball stars Tyler Hansbrough and Marvin Williams, and Indianapolis Colts defensive back Kenny Moore II.
Palm Beach County has a long history of minor league baseball and once hosted the Arena Football League’s Florida Bobcats in the 1990s. The Palm Beach Royals add professional pickleball to the county’s sports offerings, joining Miami and Orlando as Florida teams in MLP. Patrick Mahomes is a part-owner of the Miami Pickleball Club.
Major League Pickleball and Upcoming Events
The league has expanded to 23 teams across cities including Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Columbus, and Atlanta. The MLP Cup is scheduled for October 31 to November 2 in Dallas, showcasing top teams from across the country.
News in Brief: Sasha Barkov Palm Beach Royals Pickleball
Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov co-owns the Palm Beach Royals, the 23rd Major League Pickleball team. The $16 million team also includes Bianca Andreescu, Tyler Hansbrough, Marvin Williams, and Kenny Moore II. The Royals plan community events across Palm Beach County. Florida now has three MLP teams.
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