A star-studded line-up, including Scottie Scheffler, Zach Bryan, Taylor Fritz, Bobby Bones, Kendra Scott, Micah Parsons, and Myles Garrett, has been chosen to form part of the Texas Ranchers ownership group.
A Who’s Who Of Celebrities
Other celebrities from the worlds of professional sports, entertainment, music, and business have also been hand-picked to promote the Texas Ranchers’ brand on a global stage.
The Major League Pickleball (MLP) scene has taken an interesting turn with the Texas Ranchers, one of the eight founding teams of the MLP, introducing a new ownership group that reads like a who’s who from various sectors, including sports, fashion, business, music, and entertainment.
According to prnewswire.com, The roster features over 30 luminaries, such as top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler, country music sensation Zach Bryan, and seasoned managers Danny Kang and Stefan Max. Also onboard are notables like Mike G from United Talent Agency, legal powerhouse Kenny Meisalas, and NFL players Micah Parsons, C.J. Stroud, and Myles Garrett.
A pretty star-studded group. https://t.co/ujn7wkWsQx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2023
Trailblazers
Evan Floersch, President and Part-Owner of the Texas Ranchers, emphasizes that these owners aren’t simply investing in a franchise; they’re crafting the future of pickleball itself.
With their diverse resources combined, their collective vision can extend to introducing pickleball to new corners of the globe. The Ranchers see themselves as trailblazers, poised to redefine sports ownership and drive meaningful change via their professional team and the sport at large.
A Groundbreaking Journey
Leading figures from different walks of life share their excitement about being part of this groundbreaking journey.
Texan Scottie Scheffler, Official World Golf Ranking #1, looks forward to the journey ahead: “I’m looking forward to seeing how the sport and fandom develop, and I’m proud to support the Ranchers in building a world-class franchise in my home state.”
For C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback, backing the Ranchers is a way to merge his Texas sports affinity with the burgeoning pickleball wave.
“I’m all in on the pickleball rage. I’m clearly a fan of Texas sports, and I look forward to
C.J. Stroud, Quarterback for the Houston Texans
supporting the Texas Ranchers in becoming the leader in Major League Pickleball. But what really excites me is the Ranchers’ leadership and their vision to build communities and add diversity to the sport.”
Micah Parsons, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, sees pickleball as his off-season fitness endeavor and resonates with its community spirit. While Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end, highlights the collective’s diversity and its drive to foster community connections both on and off the court.
Bijan Robinson, running back for the Atlanta Falcons, underscores the positive influence sports can have on communities, and he’s committed to reinforcing the Ranchers’ community initiatives.
“As a proud Longhorn, both Texas sports and Austin have a special meaning for me, and when I heard there was an Austin professional pickleball team setting out to be a leader in Major League Pickleball, I knew I wanted to support the team. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that sports can have on communities, and I’m looking forward to supporting the Ranchers’ community initiatives that will set an example for the rest of the league.”
Bijan Robinson, Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons
An Eclectic Mix
However, the Ranchers’ ownership roster extends well beyond sports and entertainment, with notable individuals from the realms of business and technology.
This eclectic mix, united by a shared passion for pickleball, is set to take the sport to new heights while not forgetting local communities either. The Texas Ranchers, propelled by this visionary collective, are all set to carve out a distinctive space in the landscape of Major League Pickleball.
Other new owners include: Ajay Nwosu (CEO & President, TeqBall), Navin Chaddha (Mayfield), Arjun Sethi (Tribe Capital), Max Altman (Apollo Projects), Garrett Salpeter (NeuFit), Gordie Gronkowski, Jr. (Gronk Fitness; VUE Drink), Brek Shea (Blade & Grass FC), Michael Ma (Liquid 2VC; CreatorDAO), Jesse Boskoff (Status Labs), Bill Vuylsteke (ProvidentFM), Nancy Fechnay (Founder, Unique Ventures), Ted Moskovitz (Founder, DecentraNet), Brad Palmer (Palm Ventures), Limited Ventures, Red Beard Ventures, Spencer Kaye (Transform Capital), Eric Goldreyer (bnbfinder), Tony Gupta (LXMI Capital), and TRID and Sheena Melwani (Content Creator and Media Personality), among others.
The Allure Of MLP
Radio personality and passionate pickleball enthusiast Bobby Bones talks about the allure of Major League Pickleball, a sport he avidly follows on social media. While acknowledging his own playing limitations, Bones finds an alternative route to engage as an owner of the Ranchers.
Kendra Scott, Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Kendra Scott, joins the ranks of enthusiastic Ranchers’ owners. She says: “I’m thrilled to be involved with the Texas Ranchers, especially given the incredible growth of pickleball across the nation. As a franchise, the Ranchers are rooted in social good which closely aligns with my personal and professional values. Together, we can be a force for good within the Austin community and throughout the country.”
The franchise’s commitment to social good resonates deeply with her values, and together, they aspire to drive positive change within the Austin community and beyond.
A Positive Transformation
Texas Ranchers’ players and their ownership team stand united in their mission to bring about a positive transformation in the sport and the community. Their initiatives span from eco-friendly merchandise creation to rejuvenating urban areas by repurposing underutilized spaces for courts.
The Ranchers also aim to enhance the sport’s appeal by staging matches at cultural events, reaching an even wider audience.
The new owners complement founding figures like Bryan Sheffield and early MLP investor Tim Klitch, and, in addition to owning and operating the franchise, the Texas Ranchers secure equity in both MLP and DUPR, the authoritative global rating system for Pickleball.
More details about the Texas Ranchers can be explored at their official website, ranchersmlp.com, while real-time updates can be followed on their Instagram account.
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