Files from NPL/Photos courtesy of NPL
October 2, 2024 (New Canaan, Conn.) – The National Pickleball League, the sport’s 50+ league, has announced plans for expansion of at minimum two teams, with potentially four new clubs being added to the NPL fold for the upcoming 2025 season.
Per an NPL release, the league is currently evaluating ownership groups—actor Vince Vaughn recently was announced as the new majority owner of Coachella Valley Scorpions— and host cities to determine options for expansion and events.
“Adding two new teams for a second consecutive year demonstrates the great momentum our league is experiencing,” said Michael Chen, Co-Founder of the National Pickleball League. “With pickleball growing at an unprecedented pace nationwide, our decision to open a process to determine new expansion teams, owners, and host facilities for 2025 reinforces the NPL’s status as a premier destination for professional pickleball.”
The NPL launched in 2023 with six original teams: Austin Ignite (Austin, TX), Boca Raton Picklers (Boca Raton, FL), Denver Iconics (Denver, CO), Indy Drivers (Indianapolis, IN), Naples JBB United (Naples, FL), and OKC Punishers (Oklahoma City, OK). Following a successful inaugural season, the league added six more teams for its second season: Coachella Valley Scorpions (Coachella Valley, CA), Columbus Hotshots (Columbus, OH), Houston Hammers (Houston, TX), Kansas City Stingers (Kansas City, MO), Princeton Bruisers (Princeton, NJ), and Seattle United Pickleball (Seattle, WA), bringing the total to 12.
The 2024 NPL season will culminate next month at The Pickle Lodge from October 17-20. All 12 NPL teams will compete for a share of the season-long $150,000 prize pool. In 2023, the Indy Drivers captured the inaugural NPL Championship in Glendale, Arizona.
About National Pickleball League®
The National Pickleball League® was founded in 2022 by Champions Pro players Rick Witsken, Beth Bellamy, and Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen. NPL Pickleball™ is a nationwide team competition for Champions Division (age 50+) professional pickleball players and made up of twelve teams in metropolitan locations in Austin, Boca Raton, Coachella Valley, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Naples, Oklahoma City, Princeton, and Seattle. National Pickleball League® is owned by National Pickleball League, LLC. The NPL is dedicated to expanding the reach of pickleball, fostering community engagement, physical and mental health, and elevating the sport to new heights.
Interested team owners and sponsors of NPL Pickleball can email info@nplpickleball.com for more information or visit the league’s website at www.nplpickleball.com.
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