PPA Release/Photos courtesy of Carvana PPA Tour
Sept. 25, 2024 (Dallas, TX) – The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown returns to the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships, headlined by Dallas Mavericks legend and NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. The marquee event will take place on Championship Court at Brookhaven Country Club, on the evening of Thursday, November 7.
Last year’s edition saw Nowitzki, PGA Tour World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Former Dallas Cowboys star Tony Romo, Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd, Dallas Stars legend Marty Turco and tennis champion John Isner join the PPA Tour’s top pickleball pros in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,000+ fans.
“For me the amazing thing is to see how far this thing has come … This is like rockstar level,” said NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki before taking the court at last year’s event. “I’m super impressed with the set-up, how many players are here. It is insanity on another level, how big this sport has gotten.”
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, Nowitzki played 21 seasons with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and won an NBA title in 2011. Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to play for a single franchise for 21 years. A 14-time All-Star, the power forward was named NBA MVP in 2007.
“Deep Eddy Vodka is all about bringing people together for good times,” said Julie Cole, Brand Director for Deep Eddy. “We’re thrilled to partner with the PPA again to host the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown and bring our Texas-made spirit to Dallas for an incredible event.”
“The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown was one of the highlights of the 2023 event – the stands were packed and the energy of the fans was palpable,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. “Dirk Nowitzki is a Dallas sports legend, and we’re so excited that he’s coming back to play in the showdown!”
Last year’s Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown proved to be a rousing good time for participants and fans alike with legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo behind the mic, PGA Tour’s World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, tennis champion John Isner, Dallas Stars legend Marty Turco, Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd, and NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki all taking the court for a night of competition with PPA Tour professionals Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns. Nowitzki also escaped with Deep Eddy Vodka’s “Most ‘Funnest’ Player Award” last year.
This year’s event promises to be yet another great pickleball exhibition. More participants are yet to be announced and will surely provide fans with more great memories to be enjoyed for a lifetime.
Thousands of amateur and professional players are expected to compete at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships on 80-plus courts, and thousands more fans and attendees are expected to take in the pickleball action and enjoy the festivities on Pickleball Boulevard at Brookhaven Country Club.
-30-
