KEVIN DURANT AND RICH KLEIMAN'S 35V BUY MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL EXPANSION TEAM

35V set to bring unparalleled expertise across sports, entertainment, and media to Major League Pickleball (MLP)

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NBA Star Kevin Durant and entrepreneur Rich Kleiman's Thirty Five Ventures (35V) has purchased a Major League Pickleball (MLP) expansion team, set to compete in the 2023 MLP season. 35V's infrastructure of seasoned sports and entertainment executives represents a significant addition to the league as its newest strategic partners.

"35V is committed to investing in the future of sports and emerging opportunities, and Major League Pickleball is a league we are incredibly excited about," said Kleiman. "We can't wait to build this team from the ground up as well as work to elevate the sport and the league to unprecedented heights. As an avid pickleball player and fan, the interest in the sport was a natural fit."

The ownership group brings a proven track record of successfully investing in emerging teams and leagues across a variety of sports. 35V plans to further expand MLP's growing brand by running its team as a full-time venture, including everything from player relations to marketing, sponsorships, and merchandise. Additionally, through Boardroom, their critically acclaimed media network, 35V is uniquely positioned to create a market opportunity for their team and the league as a whole.

"Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, and 35V are going to be game-changing partners for Major League Pickleball," said MLP Founder and CEO Steve Kuhn. "They not only bring passion for the game, but also unrivaled expertise to help us to continue to grow. We're especially excited about their plans to bring pickleball to underserved communities – something they have done with basketball for years."

The partnership will see MLP and 35V work together to share the game with the community through 35V's "Build It and They Will Ball" initiative. To date, the program has delivered immense impact by refurbishing basketball courts in these areas across the globe.

Other MLP team owners and partners include NBA icons LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love, 7x Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady and Former World No.1 tennis player Kim Clijsters, Super Bowl Champion Drew Brees, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee), famed lecturer and research professor Brené Brown, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks Marc Lasry, former World No.4 tennis player James Blake, and from Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York, Ryan Serhant. 

The expansion team continues to set MLP up for their largest season in 2023, as the league grows from 12 to 16 teams, doubles events from three to six, and increases player prize money and payouts to more than $2M.

Click here for a video from Durant and Kleiman's 35V announcing the news.

For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit MajorLeaguePickleball.net and follow Major League Pickleball on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Major League Pickleball (MLP) is the first of its kind professional team league and the standard-bearer for the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Led by Founder & CEO Steve Kuhn, MLP is committed to perpetuating the sport's larger role in society and permeating every facet of pickleball's business, marketing, and community relations. With iconic team owners, a co-ed team format, an innovative draft, easy to understand scoring, groundbreaking broadcast quality, and the highest prize money events in pro pickleball, MLP's goal is to elevate and grow the sport in everything it does. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit MajorLeaguePickleball.net and follow Major League Pickleball on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube.

Thirty Five Ventures (35V) was founded by 2x NBA champion Kevin Durant and entrepreneur Rich Kleiman in 2016. From initial success in venture investing (including Acorns, Coinbase, Dapper Labs, Just Women's Sports, Postmates, and Overtime), 35V has grown into a multi-faceted sports, media, and entertainment company. 

In 2019, 35V launched Boardroom, a media network that sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, business, and culture. Recent film and TV projects under the Boardroom umbrella include the Academy Award-winning Two Distant Strangers (Netflix), the critically acclaimed scripted series SWAGGER (Apple TV+), and documentary NYC Point Gods (Showtime). 35V also holds a portfolio of ownership stakes in emerging and undervalued teams sports properties, including Athletes Unlimited, Gotham FC, Philadelphia Union, and Premier Lacrosse League.

Media Contact:
Jeff Watson | [email protected] | 817-944-2298

SOURCE Major League Pickleball