New Jersey’s very own Princeton Bruisers are gearing up to make their mark in the National Pickleball League (NPL) this season. Spearheaded by the co-owners of the renowned indoor pickleball hub Pickle Juice, including Jeff Brody, Lisa Brody, Brad Wimmer, and David Slobotkin, the Bruisers boast a formidable ownership lineup.
“Proud To Be Part Of The NPL”
Joining forces with Pickle Juice, Vinay Bahuguna, Neil Shroff, Emil Pescatore, and Karan Pescatore round out the ownership group of the Bruisers.
“The Pickle Juice team is proud to be a part of the NPL representing New Jersey’s team, the Princeton Bruisers,” remarked Lisa. “The NPL’s growth is reflective of how dynamic and competitive the sport continues to be, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
Six New Franchises
As we reported last week, the NPL has doubled in size for the 2024 season with the addition of six new franchises. Kansas City, Houston, Columbus, Ohio, Coachella Valley, and Seattle have all joined the Bruisers to take part in their inaugural season in the amateur league.
The six new NPL franchises sold for “around $750,000” each — more than double the first season, when the original six teams fetched an average of $300,000. If the partnerships with CBS Sports and Corona Beer and the ever-rising popularity of pickleball, it’s not surprising the NPL foresees club valuations crossing the seven-figure mark next year.
Riveting Entertainment
March will witness a player combine followed by an April draft, setting the stage for the 2024 season comprising five monthly events. Locations for the May through September matches are yet to be finalized.
With each team boasting a roster of 14 players – seven men and seven women – and every event offering prize money, the league guarantees riveting entertainment across men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles.
For companies eyeing sponsorship opportunities with NPL Pickleball, inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or through the league’s official website.
Pickle Juice LLC
Ventnor-based Pickle Juice LLC owns two state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts in South Jersey.
Located at 5000-5100 Wellington Ave. in Ventnor Heights and 1001 S. Black Horse Pike in Blackwood, the facilities will be the first of more than 15 sites expected to open over the next three to five years, according to Pickle Juice founder and co-owner Brody.
According to Pickle Juice, the 17,316-square-foot facility in Ventnor Heights has five courts, while the 13,600-square-foot location in Blackwood contains four courts.
Each location also offers open play, membership packages, clinics, tournaments, and lessons.
“To Make People Feel Welcome”
After seeing increased interest in the sport, Brody, an avid pickleball player for the past five years, wanted to launch a venture that supported her passion.
“Almost every day, I’d say to my husband, ‘I’m going to play pickle and grab a juice,’” she recalls. “And then I thought, that’s a great name and concept to open up some courts with a juice bar.”
“Our vision was to make people feel welcome when they walk in,” she added. “The unique design elements of the space will bring the feeling of the outdoors in, and the refreshing juice bar will give players the opportunity to energize while they sit and stay or grab and go.”
About The NPL
Established in 2022, the National Pickleball League caters to seasoned Champions Division players aged 50 and above.
