Pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport, and it seems that everyone and their grandma (literally) has picked up a paddle in the past few years. In addition to more local courts, players, and leagues popping up every day, professional pickleball has skyrocketed between Major League Pickleball (MLP and the PPA).
The data shows, celebrities are as passionate about the paddleball as the rest of the country. And many household name celebrities and wealthy business tycoons have invested in pro pickleball organizations across the United States.
But what celebrities have invested in pickleball? And what does it mean for the sport as is rises in popularity? Here’s the comprehensive list of celebrities that have invested in (and play) pickleball.
What celebrities have invested In professional pickleball teams?
At a glance, here is a comprehensive list of celebrities that have invested in pro pickleball teams:
- Lebron James (NBA Player & Entrepreneur)
- Tom Brady (Former NFL Player)
- Drake (Rapper)
- Heidi Klum (Model & TV Host)
- Kevin Durant (NBA Player)
- Michael B. Jordan (Actor)
- Dierks Bentley (Country Singer)
- Bijan Robinson (NFL Player)
- Zach Bryan (Country Singer)
- Draymond Greene (NBA Player)
- Mark Cuban (Entrepreneur; Owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Shark on Shark Tank)
- Michael Phelps (Gold-winning Olympic Swimmer)
- Kevin Love (NBA Player)
- Devin Booker (NBA Player)
- Larry Fitzgerald Jr. (NFL Player)
- John Isner (Former Pro Tennis Player)
- Jeremy Lin (NBA Player)
- Eva Longoria (Actress & Film Producer)
- Chandler Parsons (Former NBA Player)
- Bobby Bones (Radio & TV Personality)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Former NBA Player)
- Chris Evert (Former Pro Tennis Player; ESPN Analyst)
- Joe Bonamassa (Blues Musician)
As the sport grows, teams will yield further investment, meaning it’s highly likely the list of celebrities investing in pickleball will expand in years to come. Learn more about why pickleball is popular in this helpful guide.
What entrepreneurs and notable families have invested in pickleball?
In addition to world-famous celebrities, many wealthy individuals have families have invested in Major League Pickleball teams. Here’s a comprehensive list of pickleball team investors
- Robert Herjavec (notable Canadian investor and shark on Shark Tank )
- Todd Wagner (CEO of 2929 Entertainment and Mark Cuban business partner)
- Steve Stoute (CEO of UnitedMasters)
- Tom Ricketts (Owner / Executive Chairman of Chicago Cubs)
- Ron Saslow (Owner at Thirty-5 Capital)
- Connor Pardoe (Owner of the Pro Pickleball Association)
- Doug Ulman (CEO of Pelotonia)
More entrepreneurs are sure to invest as the sport rises in popularity, and continues to expand with more viewership and sports betting.
Follow the Sport Everyone (Including Celebrities) Loves
Stay in the loop on Major League Pickleball as the sport grows. With the amount of celebrities and entrepreneurs backing the sport, you can only expect pro pickleball to grow.
Celebrity pickleball FAQs
Do celebrities play pickleball?
Many celebrities play pickleball. Some iconic celebrities that have openly discussed their love for pickleball include Selena Gomez, Ellen Degeneres, Drew Brees, Will Ferrell, Billie Eilish, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, and George Clooney.
Stephen Colbert hosted a celebrity pickleball tournament on CBS called ‘Pickled’ in November 2022 that included “Jimmie Allen, Murray Bartlett, Dierks Bentley, Jaime Camil, Will Ferrell, Max Greenfield, Luis Guzman, Phil Keoghan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tig Notaro, June Diane Raphael, Kelly Rowland, Paul Scheer, Aisha Tyler and Emma Watson. Cari Champion, John Michael Higgins and Bill Raftery” according to IMDB.
What professional athletes have invested in pickleball?
- Lebron James
- Tom Brady
- Michael Phelps
- Jeremy Lin
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Draymond Greene
- Chandler Parsons
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Chris Evert
- Kevin Love
What musicians have invested in pickleball teams?
- Drake
- Dierks Bentley
- Zach Bryan
- Joe Bonamassa
What Hollywood actors and stars have invested in pickleball teams?
- Heidi Klum
- Michael B. Jordan
- Eva Longoria
What Pickleball Team Did Drake Invest In?
Drake invested in the Brooklyn Aces Premier Pickleball team. Learn more in the Did Drake Invest in a Pickleball Team news story.
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