Professional pickleball is rapidly expanding, with Major League Pickleball officially launching multiple new teams across the United States in 2023 alone.
In addition to an increase in viewership in pro pickleball from fans and sponsorship from big-name organizations, more celebrities are co-signing pickleball and investing in Major League Pickleball?
But is Drake really a pickleball team investor? Get to know more about the For All the Dogs rapper and entertainer’s involvement in pro pickleball.
What Pickleball Team Is Drake Invested In?
As of July 2023, Drake officially joined Michael B. Jordan and more notable investors in purchasing a stake in the Premier Major League Pickleball team the Brooklyn Aces.
Majority owner of the Aces Rich Kleiman was quoted saying, “We’re thrilled to have this incredible group of investors join the Brooklyn Aces as we continue to grow the team and raise the profile of Major League Pickleball as a whole. In addition to the marketing and creative acumen that Michael B. Jordan [and] Drake… bring to the table, our investor group includes some of the savviest entrepreneurs in the business. We’re looking forward to what our second season brings.”
What is Major League Pickleball? Get to know the MLP and why Drake saw a team in the pro pickleball league as a worthwhile investment.
Who Are the Brooklyn Aces?
The Brooklyn Aces are a Major League Pickleball team representing Brooklyn and the whole NYC region. The 2023 roster includes Catherine Parenteau, Hayden Patriquin, Andrea Koop, and Tyler Loong.
Who are the Other Investors in the Brooklyn Aces?
Is addition to rapper / singer Drake (full name Aubrey Drake Graham) there are multiple notable investors in the Brooklyn Aces pickleball team, including:
- Rich Kleiman: Entrepreneur and Kevin Durant’s business partner
- Kevin Durant: NBA basketball player for the Phoenix Sun
- Michael B. Jordan: Famous actor from Creed, Black Panther, and more
- Steve Stoute: CEO at UnitedMasters
What Other Celebrities Have Invested in MLP Pickleball Teams?
Many celebrities and successful entrepreneurs have invested in the 24 pro pickleball teams competing in the MLP. Drake has joined this comprehensive list of notable pickleball investors:
- Lebron James
- Michael Phelps
- Heidi Klum
- Eva Longoria
- Jeremy Lin
- Mark Cuban
- Dierks Bentley
- Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
- Devin Booker
The Anheuser-Busch brand has also notably invested in multiple MLP teams across the country. Explore the full list of celebrity pickleball team investors.
Stay up to date on the latest pickleball news (and the essential pickleball tips for playing yourself) with the Pickleball Savant.
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