Nets' Kevin Durant purchases Major League Pickleball expansion team

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant is following in the footsteps of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and embracing the exciting world of competitive pickleball. 

The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov reported Thursday that Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman have purchased a Major League Pickleball expansion team for the league's 2023 season. Thirty Five Ventures, their investment company, will be tasked with running the new team. 

"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," Kleiman said in a released statement. "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." 

It was learned last week that Brady and retired four-time Grand Slam singles champion Kim Clijsters are part of an ownership group that purchased an MLP expansion team. LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love of the NBA have also invested in the league set to grow from 12 teams to 16 next year. 

Durant and Kleiman already own 10% of Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union and are part of the ownership group for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League.