Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that has gained popularity in recent years, attracting a wide range of investors and owners. From celebrities to business tycoons, many high-profile individuals have invested in or taken ownership of pickleball-related ventures. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the famous investors and owners in the world of pickleball.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is one of the most famous investors in the pickleball world. Gates, who is an avid pickleball player, has invested in several pickleball-related ventures, including Pickleball Central, the largest retailer of pickleball equipment in the world. In addition to his investments, Gates has also helped to promote the sport by playing in high-profile events and sharing his love for the game on social media.
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is another high-profile investor in the pickleball world. Buffett, who is also an avid pickleball player, has invested in several pickleball-related ventures, including Franklin Sports, a leading manufacturer of pickleball equipment. Buffett has also been known to play pickleball with fellow billionaire Bill Gates, further increasing the sport's visibility among the business community.
Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has also become involved in the world of pickleball. In 2018, Agassi announced that he had become an investor in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), a leading professional pickleball league. Agassi's involvement in the PPA helped to raise the league's profile and attract new fans to the sport.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan, the basketball legend and owner of the Charlotte Hornets, is another famous owner in the pickleball world. In 2020, Jordan announced that he had invested in the pickleball equipment company, Onix Sports. Jordan's investment helped to further legitimize the sport and attract more high-profile investors to the pickleball industry.
Bobby Riggs
Bobby Riggs, the former tennis player and self-proclaimed "King of the Court," was a pioneer in the world of pickleball. Riggs was instrumental in popularizing the sport in the 1980s and was one of the first high-profile athletes to invest in pickleball-related ventures. Riggs's involvement helped to establish pickleball as a legitimate sport and paved the way for future investors and owners. For more well known high profile Pickleball investors - check out this podcast