Chuck Taylor returns a shot as he and Spencer Smith play pickleball towards skilled pickleball participant Callie Smith and her husband, Kyle Smith, in Lehi on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Steve Griffin, Deseret Information
Kevin Durant gained’t be outdone by his fellow star athletes. After watching LeBron James, Tom Brady and others spend money on Main League Pickleball, he’s throwing in some cash, as effectively.
Entrance Workplace Sports activities reported Thursday that Durant and his funding agency, Thirty 5 Ventures, have bought a Main League Pickleball growth staff that’ll be part of the league subsequent yr. Durant’s enterprise accomplice mentioned in an announcement that the funding is a “pure match” for the agency.
“35V is dedicated to investing in the way forward for sports activities and rising alternatives, and Main League Pickleball is a league we're extremely enthusiastic about,” mentioned Wealthy Kleiman, based on Entrance Workplace Sports activities.
Thirty 5 Ventures has beforehand invested in League One Volleyball, Premier Lacrosse League, The Gamers Tribune, SeatGeek and lots of different sports-related corporations, the article mentioned.
Durant’s pickleball staff is the third new one to be introduced since September, when James bought his staff together with Draymond Inexperienced and Kevin Love. Brady’s staff, which he purchased alongside tennis star Kim Clijsters, was introduced final week.
As Entrance Workplace Sports activities reported, the brand new traders are serving to Main League Pickleball develop from 12 groups to 16. “Additionally it is growing participant prize cash and payouts to over $2 million,” the article mentioned.
Every staff has two males and two girls, and tournaments contain each singles and doubles matches, based on Main League Pickleball’s web site.
The league wrapped up its 2022 season final week.