Drake, Michael B. Jordan and Steve Stoute are the latest investors of Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s pickleball team.
The three have bought in to Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces via an investor group.
Michael B. Jordan is no stranger to sports investing. He’s a co-investor in the Alpine F1 Team and A.F.C Bournemouth football club.
In 2013, Drake became the “global ambassador” of the Toronto Raptors where he promotes and hosts festivities for the team. The OVO star has other investements including online sports betting , a financial startup and cryptocurrency.
Record executive Steve Stoute has extensive work with brand marketing for over twenty years. Stoute has been the keynote speaker at many noted conferences including the NBA All-Star Tech Summit, Cannes Lions, the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Google Zeitgeist and as a speaker at UC Berkeley’s School of Data Science.
“We’re thrilled to have this incredible group of investors join the Brooklyn Aces as we continue to grow the team and raise the profile of Major League Pickleball as a whole,” said Boardroom CEO and Aces majority owner Rich Kleiman.
With these latest equity partners positioned as influential leaders across the worlds of sports, business, and entertainment, the Brooklyn Aces hopes to further their commitment to engaging with the pickleball community, growing the team’s brand presence, and elevating Aces athletes.
As part of the new ownership’s commitment to fostering community in New York City and beyond, the Aces will host their first youth-focused community event – Aces Day of Play – on Thursday, Aug. 3 at the CityPickle courts in Manhattan’s Union Square.
In partnership with PowerPlay NYC – a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing the lives of girls through sport – the organizations will bring the growing sport to an underserved community while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, according to a press release.
It appears the popularity for pickleball is increasing.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, reportedly invested in a new Major League Pickleball team alongside tennis superstar Naomi Osaka.
Additionally, LeBron James and Draymond Green became a part of an ownership group within the popular sport. The two NBA stars were joined by Maverick Carter, James’ business partner, Miami Heat’s Kevin Love, and investment firm SC Holdings.