Kevin Durant Has joined the elite list of athletes who own a pickleball squad.
Durant was named Thursday as the owner of a Major League Pickleball expansion club, along with Rich Kleiman and their Thirty Five Ventures joint venture.
Kleiman stated that 35V is committed in investing in the future and emerging opportunities of sports, and Major League Pickleball “is a league that we are incredibly excited for,” in a press statement. “We are eager to build this team, as well as to work to lift the sport and league to new heights. Being a passionate pickleball player and fan made the sport a natural choice.
Thirty Five Ventures, according to the release will be involved in the expansion team as a “full-time venture” and will handle all aspects of marketing and player relations.
Durant stated that he never thought he’d get into pickleball on a Boardroom video, which 35V owns. Brooklyn Nets Star forward, Kleiman, who got him on the court to play by himself, said that the sport became a “small obsession”.
Steve Kuhn, founder and CEO of MLP, stated that Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant and 35V will be game-changing partners in Major League Pickleball. They not only have passion for the game but also have unrivalled expertise that will help us grow. We are especially excited about their plans for pickleball in underserved communities, something they have done with basketball over the years.
LeBron James Was previously announced As an owner of an MLP expansion team with Maverick Carter Draymond Green And Kevin Love. Tom Brady And Kim Clijsters They were also named as part of an ownership group Another team won last week. Drew Brees is also an investor in the league.
MLP was established in 2021. It will grow from 12 to 16 teams in 2023 and increase its annual events by doubling to six. The league stated that prize money for next season will exceed $2 million.
Durant stated in the Boardroom video that their next steps would include finding a city where the team can play and represent it, as well as finding the right players to help them achieve their goals.
The 12-time NBA All-Star stated that “We really, really want leave our mark starting Day 1 on how hard and successful our team will play.”