LeBron James is taking his talents to the pickleball court — sort of.
The Los Angeles Lakers star leads a group of NBA players and businessmen buying a new Major League Pickleball team, along with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. Maverick Carter, James’ longtime friend and CEO of their entertainment brand SpringHill Company, SpringHill CMO Paul Rivera and investment firm SC Holdings and Relevent Sports Group co-owner and CEO Daniel Sillman are also among the group, MLP announced Wednesday.
Advertisement
In 2023, the league will expand from 12 to 16 teams.
“Having SC Holdings, LRMR Ventures, and their incredible group as owners and investors in Major League Pickleball is not just great for MLP, it’s a watershed moment for pickleball in general,” MLP founder Steve Kuhn said in a statement. “Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, building communities in cities and towns all over the world. This investment and the platform that this group provides will significantly help us with our goal to reach 40 million pickleball players by 2030.”
GO DEEPER
What is pickleball? Everything to know about rules, leagues
This isn’t the first time James has invested in a sports team or group. In August, James and the New York Yankees bought into Italian soccer club AC Milan, bringing together the world’s most valuable baseball team and one of the highest-paid athletes.
The year before, James and Carter invested in Fenway Sports Group, giving them stakes in the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, Liverpool FC and Roush Fenway Racing.
MLP’s impressive ownership group already includes former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, former tennis player James Blake and famed lecturer Brené Brown.
MLP’s 2022 season finale will be held in Columbus, Ohio, from Oct. 14 to 16, with 48 players competing for the largest single-event prize purse ($319,000) in pickleball history. The winning team will earn $100,000.
Students from James’ I PROMISE Program in Akron will attend the tournament.
(Photo: Lauren Bacho / NBAE via Getty Images)