Ownership Group Buys Controlling Stake in Major League Pickleball’s AZ Drive at Valuation of Over $10 Million
The Arizona Drive, a Major League Pickleball team, has made headlines with a recent ownership change. A group led by Charles Darling, Tim Fyke, Jake Plummer, and Jeff Tsao has acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for over $10 million. This move comes as Major League Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, with the league generating $50 million in revenue in 2024.
The Drive’s previous ownership, led by former NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald, has now sold a portion of their stake to the new group. Proton Sports, a pickleball paddle manufacturer, is the latest brand to invest in Major League Pickleball at the ownership level, following in the footsteps of Anheuser-Busch and Lotto.
Major League Pickleball features 22 franchises and over 100 professional players, with at least 75 celebrities involved in ownership groups. The league’s season includes 10 tournaments across the country, a Mid-Season Tournament, and a two-week playoff event. The upcoming season will kick off in Orlando from April 24-27.
“This ownership-level investment by Proton continues to showcase the innovative strategies Major League Pickleball has implemented with brands integrating with our teams,” said Samin Odhwani, UPA Chief Strategy Officer. “The fit between Proton and the AZ Drive is perfect, given the local ties in the Arizona community.”
Proton Sports, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is expanding its presence in the sport of pickleball, investing in both Major League Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association. With this new ownership group in place, the Arizona Drive is poised for success in the upcoming season.
