Actor Vince Vaughn has purchased a majority stake in the National Pickleball League's Coachella Valley Scorpions, one of 12 teams in the 2-year-old professional league.
Co-owner Kim Jagd, who is also a member of the team, will retain a minority stake, the team said in a statement.
He NPL is a professional pickleball league for players 50 and older. Jagd, the Scorpions’ general manager, and Vaughn, a pickleball enthusiast whose film credits include the sports comedy “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” met on a pickleball court near Manhattan Beach, the Scorpions said.
“I have always enjoyed the game and when I first met Kim I was impressed, not only as a player, but also with her passion and coaching style,” Vaughn said in the team statement. “I am excited to support her and the Scorpions on their journey.”
Jagd, a former professional beach volleyball player, led her former team, the Indy Drivers, to the inaugural NPL championships. last year.
“When you’re on the court with Vince, you can feel his energy and enthusiasm for pickleball,” Jagd said in the release. “His involvement is an exciting development for the team and will help the Scorpions continue to build their brand both in the Coachella Valley and the broader Southern California area.”
Vaughn is one of an estimated 13.6 million pickleball players nationwide. Participation has grown 223.5% since 2020, making it the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., according to a 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association report.
Currently in its second season, the NPL has doubled its number of teams since its debut last season. Each team has 14 players split evenly between men and women. Each event combines men's, women's and mixed doubles matches.
“The league has experienced unprecedented growth over its first two seasons, and Vaughn’s investment in our league truly underscores the growing interest in the sport in California and across the country,” said NPL CEO Paul Bamundo.
Coincidentally, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center announced Thursday A drastic increase in the number of reported pickleball-related injuries, specifically Achilles tendon ruptures among players ages 60 to 70.
“We are seeing an epidemic of Achilles tendon injuries in pickleball,” said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Charlton “New athletes are either returning to the field after a long time off or are beginning to play competitively without proper training. This creates an environment where injuries are more likely to occur,” the medical center said in a statement.
