The National Pickleball League, LLC (NPL™) is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Bamundo as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.
With a wealth of experience in senior marketing and sales roles at organizations such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), International Management Group (IMG), Subway, and the Ivy League, Bamundo assumes his position as CEO of the NPL with immediate effect, as confirmed by NPL co-founder Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen.
“I Am Thrilled”
Following his recent attendance at the NPL Championship Weekend at Chicken N Pickle’s new entertainment complex in Glendale, Arizona, Bamundo expressed his enthusiasm for his new role leading the league, stating, “I am thrilled to be joining the NPL to lead this incredible league as CEO.
“There has never been a better time for the growth of pickleball in both interest and participation for people of all ages.
“I look forward to working with our Champions Pros, co-founders, team owners, and partners to build on the great foundation already established during the inaugural year of the NPL.
“As CEO, I will look to expand the league and provide enhanced access for fans to watch many of the best players in the world competing on the national stage.”
Utmost Satisfaction
Chen expressed his utmost satisfaction in having Bamundo as the NPL’s first CEO. He stated, “Our league has grown immeasurably in the past 11 months since we launched last December.
“Paul has an incredible background in sports marketing and business development, and his experience building various sports organizations will help accelerate our league’s growth.
I am honored to be the CEO of @NatPBLeague. I look forward to building on the great success the NPL established in its inaugural year! https://t.co/OCkNv6HYJf
— Paul Bamundo (@pbamundo) November 2, 2023
“He is the right person at the right time to lead the NPL to greater heights, and my partners, Rick Witsken, Beth Bellamy, and I can’t wait for him to get started.”
Six-Team Expansion
In his role as CEO, Bamundo will guide the NPL as it expands from six teams in the 2023 season to a projected 10-12 teams for the 2024 season. The NPL is currently accepting applications for expansion team owners for 2024.
NPL Pickleball is a nationwide team competition for Champions Division (50 and over) professional pickleball players, showcasing top pro players from across the nation.
NPL Pickleball will conduct three combines in February and March 2024, where players can vie for selection in the 2024 season draft. The 2024 draft is scheduled for April, with league matches commencing in May.
NPL Pickleball’s regular season weekends will run from May to September, culminating in a season-ending Championship in October.
Those interested in NPL expansion team ownership or sponsorships for 2024 are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] for further details.
About NPL Pickleball
Champions Pro players Rick Witsken, Beth Bellamy, and Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen established The National Pickleball League in 2022. NPL Pickleball is a nationwide team competition for Champions Division (Age 50+) professional pickleball players.
For additional information on NPL Pickleball, please visit the league’s website at nplpickleball.com. Official NPL Apparel is available for purchase at nplpickleball.store.
