Palm Beach Royals Join Major League Pickleball Amid Growing Popularity
Expansion of Professional Pickleball in Palm Beach County
The sport of pickleball is experiencing significant growth in Palm Beach County, with the Palm Beach Royals preparing to enter Major League Pickleball (MLP) as a new franchise. Zach Hunter, co-owner of the Boca Raton team, initially had doubts about the sport's legitimacy. He recalled a conversation where someone suggested he try pickleball, to which he responded, 'That’s not a real sport. That’s fake tennis.'
Sofia Sewing, one of the first players signed by the Royals, shared a similar sentiment, stating, 'You’re crazy. I would never do that.' However, both have since changed their opinions as the sport's popularity has skyrocketed. Sewing, currently ranked No. 1 by the Association of Professional Pickleball, recently achieved a triple crown at an APP event in Malaysia.
Hunter explained that the decision to invest in the franchise was influenced by the sport's rapid growth and the league's expansion. 'Pickleball is exploding, the league is exploding… what better time to get in than now?' he remarked. With a collective goal of elevating MLP, the decision felt obvious.
The Royals are supported by Hyperspace Ventures and various minority investors, including athletes and business leaders. They are gearing up for the MLP draft, having already secured commitments from Sewing, Tina Pisnik, and Dekel Bar. Hunter emphasized Boca Raton's significance in the pickleball community, noting that 'Boca is the mecca of pickleball… I think 18 of the top 20 players in the world live in Palm Beach County.'
Although their home venue is still under construction and won't be ready until 2027, the team will participate in MLP's traveling format. 'You don’t necessarily need a home court in Major League Pickleball… it’s really kind of like a festival style rather than a traditional home and away,' Hunter explained.
The franchise is also dedicated to grassroots initiatives, hosting five to seven events weekly to cultivate their fan base. Hunter, who now plays pickleball regularly, sees great potential for the sport's future. 'I play pickleball five days a week. I just love it… I call it mini-tennis mixed with chess — it’s really a thinking person’s game,' he said.
He believes that pickleball, once perceived as a sport for older individuals, will soon become a scholarship sport in colleges and potentially an Olympic event within five years. 'You used to see 100 people in the stands… now you have events with 5,000 to 10,000. This is very much the ground floor.'