DURHAM, N.C. – The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) have teamed up with sports industry leaders and retired professional male and female athletes to launch PBX Pickleball.
Advisors for the new organization include MLB All-Stars Brad Penny and Kevin Youkilis; four-time World Series Champ Tino Martinez; 18-year MLB veteran Kent Mercker; NHL player, coach, general manager, and team president Paul Holmgren; four-time Stanley Cup winner Kris Draper; NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champ Golden Tate; and former CEO of USA Pickleball Stu Upson.
According to a news release, PBX Pickleball will attract retired professional athletes from all major sports, including baseball, hockey, football, and basketball, and has entered a partnership with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) and the NHL Alumni Association. Additional partnerships will be announced. PBX Pickleball will incorporate retired players’ charities and other nonprofit organizations nationwide.
PBX Pickleball will consist of four experiences:
- PBX Tour will bring together retired sports stars turned pickleball players, starting with athletes who previously competed at the highest levels of their sports. Each player will represent their respective sports in PBX Pickleball tournaments for audiences.
- PBX Pro-Ams will allow amateur pickleball players to play with and against former male and female stars of major sports teams. PBX Pickleball Pro-Ams will align with professional pickleball tour stops and occur adjacent to these events, including the PBX Tour.
- PBX Dream Weekends will offer the “ultimate pickleball experience” for amateur participants. Pickleball enthusiasts will learn from professional pickleball players and interact with dozens of retired athletes.
- PBX Corporate Experiences will be fully customizable with services to support corporate meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Retired professional athletes will be part of the experience.
“The pickleball explosion in America continues to attract players and spectators at a rapid pace,” says Jason Clement, CEO of The Sports Facilities Companies. “Passionate participants now include hundreds of professional athletes who found pickleball in retirement. PBX Pickleball will harness the talent and competitive spirit to offer excitement and experiences that fans will love.”
With more than 45 SFC-managed venues that represent the SF Network, the Sports Facilities Companies will leverage relationships nationwide to book and market PBX Pickleball events. Notable participants, event dates, venues, broadcast partners, and sponsors will be confirmed in the weeks ahead.
“So many sports heroes from baseball, hockey, football, and basketball have become exceptional pickleball players,” says Youkilis. “As one of those retired athletes who picked up the game myself, I’m excited to see PBX Pickleball allow us to scratch our competitive itch, interact with our fans, and continue our playing careers through a sport that is so much fun to play. We’ll also make pickleball a blast to watch on TV.”
“Pickleball has not only served as the fastest-growing sport in the country for the past three years but it has also been elevated to a social phenomenon,” says Justin Maloof, USA Pickleball chief operating officer. “With that in mind, PBX Pickleball’s vision to interweave other great American sports, while engaging with top pro athletes, will create even more unique and amazing experiences for both pickleball participants and spectators.”
PBX Pickleball is currently exploring a multi-year strategic partnership with USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the United States.
