Tom Brady Buys A Professional Pickleball Team
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and four-time major tennis champion Kim Clijsters were announced Wednesday as part of an ownership group for a Major League Pickleball expansion team.
Tom Brady is one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. He has won seven Super Bowls, the most of any player in NFL history, and has been named the Super Bowl MVP a record five times. Brady has also been selected to 14 Pro Bowls, the most of any quarterback in NFL history.
Kim Clijsters is a former professional tennis player from Belgium. She retired from tennis in 2012 but came out of retirement in 2020 and reached the semifinals of the US Open. Clijsters is a four-time major champion, having won the US Open twice and the Australian Open and Wimbledon once each. She is also a former world №1 ranked player.
The team, which will be based in Boston, will begin play in the 2022 season. It will be one of eight expansion teams announced Wednesday as part of MLP’s plans to grow the sport.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It is played on a court with a net and can be played indoors or outdoors. Pickleball uses paddles and a plastic ball which resembles a wiffle ball, compared to tennis which uses racquets and tennis balls. A pickleball court is roughly 1/4 the size of a tennis court and like tennis it can be played indoors or outdoors.
Brady, who has been an investor in the sport since 2019, said he believes pickleball has “tremendous growth potential.”
“I’m excited to be part of Major League Pickleball and help grow the sport at the professional level,” Brady said in a statement. “As someone who loves competition and is constantly looking for new ways to stay engaged, pickleball is the perfect fit. I’m looking forward to working with the other owners, the league and everyone involved in MLP to make this a successful venture.”
Clijsters, who retired from tennis in 2012, said she was drawn to pickleball because it is a family-friendly sport.
“I love that pickleball is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels,” Clijsters said. “I’m excited to be part of an ownership group that is committed to growing the sport and making it more accessible to people around the world.”
The expansion teams were announced as part of MLP’s plans to grow the sport. Pickleball is currently played by more than 3 million people in the United States, according to the US Pickleball Association.
“Major League Pickleball is committed to growing the sport of pickleball and making it more accessible to people around the world,” said MLP Commissioner Dave Keaton in a statement. “We’re excited to have Tom Brady and Kim Clijsters as part of our ownership group and we’re looking forward to having them be a part of our league’s growth.”
Brady joins a number of other professional athletes who have invested in pickleball, including NBA star LeBron James and NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. The 2023 season will be the first in which MLP will offer prize money and a championship trophy. The league plans to grow to 12 teams by 2025.
Pickleball has exploded in popularity. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
Pickleball can be played as doubles or singles and is popular among all age groups. It is especially popular among seniors as it is a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints. However, many public schools have added pickleball to their physical education classes and after-school programs as a way to get kids active and engaged in a sport.
Pickleball equipment is relatively inexpensive and the sport can be played on any type of court, making it one of the most accessible sports. Before purchasing a paddle, we recommend doing some research and reviewing a pickleball paddle guide to help you make an informed purchase. As with most sports, pickleball terminology & lingo may take a little bit of time to learn.But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be spouting pickleball phrases like an expert in no time!
Whether you are just starting to learn about pickleball, looking for tips on buying pickleball shoes, or are looking to take your game to the next level, we hope this guide has been helpful. Remember, the best way to improve your pickleball skills is to get out on the court and play as often as you can!