D.C. Pickleball Team, Brooklyn Aces ownership groups agree to swap franchise name rights
Last Edited
Apr 19 2025
Category
News
The franchises that played the 2024 Major League Pickleball season as the D.C. Pickleball Team and Brooklyn Aces have officially announced the exchange of franchise name rights ahead of the 2025 MLP season.
The decision reflects the shared commitment of both ownership groups to strengthen their connection to their respective home markets, according to a news release.
The franchise that played the 2024 MLP season as the D.C. Pickleball Team -- a Premier Level franchise with a roster of Dekel Bar, Jackie Kawamoto, Riley Newman, and Rachel Rohrabacher -- will now be known as the Brooklyn Pickleball Team.
The franchise's ownership group includes Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr., Cliff Avril and Mesut Ozil.
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“We are incredibly grateful for the successful first two years we’ve had in Washington, D.C., and for the unwavering support of our amazing fans,” said Tylis, now Principal Owner of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. “Looking ahead to this next chapter in Brooklyn, we’re filled with excitement about the opportunity to grow the game and create new connections in the borough I was raised in and a city with such a rich sports culture. At the same time, we’ll continue collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that our time in D.C. leaves a lasting impact. We can’t wait to see both communities rally behind their teams as we embark on this exciting journey.”
The team that played 2024 as the Brooklyn Aces -- a Challenger Level franchise with a roster of Daniel De La Rosa, Andrea Koop, Mari Humberg, and Stefan Auvergne -- will now be the D.C. Pickleball Team, with an ownership group highlighted by Boardroom Sport Holdings’ Rich Kleiman and Kevin Durant.
“Our organization has created deep roots within the D.C. community over the years through the work of the Durant Family Foundation and Team Durant, and being able to bring our pickleball team to DC to create more connectivity just makes sense,” said Rich Kleiman, now Principal Owner of the D.C. Pickleball Team. “We're excited to continue our work growing this team now as the D.C. Pickleball Team.”
As the teams prepare for this exciting new chapter, they invite fans to stay tuned for updates, including adjustments to digital platforms and the release of fresh team merchandise.
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