Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James leads group of NBA stars investing in pickleball

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 9/28/22

If you're a superstar like LeBron James, you can invest in whatever you want, right? Even if it's something that seems kind of silly to everyone else?

That's what is taking place this week, as the four-time NBA MVP is reportedly leading a group of players and businessmen in investing in Major League Pickleball.

Yes, you read that correctly. Pickleball.

According to ESPN, the group of investors includes fellow players Draymond Green and Kevin Love, as well as Maverick Carter's LRMR Ventures, investment firm SC Holdings, the SpringHill Company CMO Paul Rivera, and Relevent Sports Group co-owner and CEO Daniel Sillman.

LeBron James, Draymond Green and Kevin Love are leading a group of investors purchasing one of four expansion teams in the pickleball league next season.

Drew Brees and Milwaukee Bucks governor Marc Lasry are also investors in the league. pic.twitter.com/pj1JYbqOT9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2022

"Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, building communities in cities and towns all over the world," MLP Steve Kuhn said, via ESPN. "This investment and the platform that this group provides will significantly help us with our goal to reach 40 million pickleball players by 2030."

Major League Pickleball, a first-of-its-kind league, recently expanded from 12 teams to 16. The expansion reportedly made it possible for James and the other investors to buy a team together.

According to ESPN, financial terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.

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