Mark Cuban Announced as Team Owner, Investor in VIBE Pickleball League

Shark Attack! Mark Cuban is the first investor to own a team in the VIBE Pickleball League. The billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor has officially made his way into pickleball.

The VIBE Pickleball League is the new team-based pickleball league that will debut in 2023. The league will have six teams in the inaugural season. Ownership bids for the remaining teams are still being fielded by the league.

Pickleball fans will now have two team-based leagues to follow in the new year. Major League Pickleball was started in 2021 and has made major headlines with their expansion before next season. Tom Brady, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and other big-name investors have been added as team owners.

The VIBE Pickleball League is a new league that is owned by Pickleball Inc. under the watch of billionaire Tom Dundon. VIBE is endorsed by the PPA Tour and will feature tour staples like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Tyson McGuffin.

Darren Rovell reported on Tuesday that two top players, JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier, have left MLP to join VIBE.

Shark in the Waters

Mark Cuban has owned the Dallas Mavericks for over 20 years. The man knows investing and, better yet, knows sports investing. He has stacked up sports-centric pieces in his portfolio for years.

"Just like millions of other Americans, I've been following pickleball over the past few years, and I couldn't pass up the chance to invest in the fastest growing game in the country. VIBE presents an unparalleled opportunity to launch a new pro league that will feature the best of the best in a highly competitive setting. I can't wait to be a part of it." — Mark Cuban

Cuban has ties with Pickleball Inc. owner Tom Dundon. Both are Dallas-based and own major sports franchises, so it is a natural fit to have Cubes dropped as the first name associated with VIBE.

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All-out Billionaire Shootout for the Future of Pickleball

The divide between pickleball organizations is cemented with the creation of the VIBE Pickleball League.

It was rumored that Dundon and MLP Owner, Steve Kuhn, might find some common ground this fall. Those rumors have been squashed with this new development.

Now, the two organizations look more like the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Both are competing for players, sponsors, and viewers.

Payouts for MLP have rapidly increased since the league started in 2021. The prize pool topped $300k at each of the three events this year. There are no details released on player contracts for the VIBE Pickleball League.

As CBS Sports has covered extensively, pickleball has exploded across every demographic in America — and leagues like VIBE are racing to capitalize on that momentum.

The actions of the past two months make it feel like team pickleball is the future of the sport. If you have not attended a team event live, be sure to add it to your bucket list for 2023.

Full Press Release from VIBE PB

VIBE Pickleball League Launches Team Play, Powered by the PPA Tour

League boasts the top 5 male and female pros, competing on six teams at six marquee events in 2023

Pro basketball owner and entrepreneur, Mark Cuban, named owner of first VIBE team

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 03, 2022 — Today, the VIBE Pickleball League has formally launched as the elite professional pickleball league for team competition and announced its first team owner, Mark Cuban.

VIBE Pickleball will start play in 2023 with six teams, each with a roster of male and female athletes. VIBE is powered by the PPA Tour and will feature pickleball's top athletes, including the top 5 males and top 5 females. Headlined by the PPA Tour's No. 1 athletes, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, other notable competitors playing in VIBE include Tyson McGuffin, Matt Wright, Riley Newman, Callie Smith, Jessie Irvine and Catherine Parenteau, among other pickleball stars.

"The VIBE Pickleball League is going to be a must-watch as it will showcase the world's best pickleball in an exciting team format. With our top players, renowned ownership group and top-tier broadcasting partners, the league will reimagine how people enjoy and experience team pickleball." — Connor Pardoe, PPA Tour Commissioner and CEO

All teams will be independently owned and managed by notable names and prominent figures. Mark Cuban, American billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, is the first to purchase and join the VIBE Pickleball League as an owner. Throughout the season, team owners will be able to add, drop and trade players at league consent.

"Just like millions of other Americans, I've been following pickleball over the past few years, and I couldn't pass up the chance to invest in the fastest growing game in the country. VIBE presents an unparalleled opportunity to launch a new pro league that will feature the best of the best in a highly competitive setting. I can't wait to be a part of it." — Mark Cuban

Prior to the 2023 season, the VIBE Pickleball League will host a live team draft in December 2022 in Las Vegas. The draft will feature player/celebrity appearances and pair players up with new teammates, creating unique partnerships. New ownership groups for the remaining five teams will be announced leading up to the draft.

VIBE Pickleball League is set to televise matches throughout the 2023 season in conjunction with the PPA Tour, which has relationships with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and Tennis Channel, among others.

For more information about VIBE Pickleball League, the PPA Tour and pickleball, visit vibepb.com and ppatour.com. Stay up to date by following VIBE on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Competitors Who Have Submitted Their Names to the VIBE Draft Pool

Men's Pros: Ben Johns, Matt Wright, Riley Newman, Collin Johns, Tyson McGuffin, Tyler Loong, Callan Dawson, Jay Devilliers, JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier, Patrick Smith, Spencer Smith and Steve Deakin

Women's Pros: Anna Leigh Waters, Callie Smith, Lucy Kovalova, Jessie Irvine, Catherine Parenteau, Leigh Waters, Lea Jansen, Meghan Dizon, Allyce Jones and Yana Grechkina

About VIBE Pickleball League

VIBE Pickleball League brings together the magic of team events with the world's top players to create an exhilarating new entertainment option for pickleball players and fans alike. Watch Pro Tour superstars pair up with new names, compete as teams, cheer teammates on, showcase team uniforms, play exciting tiebreakers, confer with celebrity owners, take part in drafts, gather League points all year long and so much more! VIBE events are held year-round and can be enjoyed both on-site and via broadcasting networks. Purchasing options for VIBE collectible jerseys and other League souvenirs will be launched in 2023. Don't miss a minute of the action!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VIBE Pickleball League?

The VIBE Pickleball League is a professional team-based pickleball competition backed by Pickleball Inc. and powered by the PPA Tour. It was formally launched in November 2022 and is set to debut in 2023 with six independently owned teams. The league features the top male and female pros in the sport, including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters.

How is VIBE Pickleball different from Major League Pickleball?

While both are team-format professional pickleball leagues, VIBE is aligned with the PPA Tour while Major League Pickleball operates independently. The two leagues are in direct competition for top players, sponsors, and broadcast rights — a rivalry that has already seen JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier leave MLP to join VIBE. Think of it as the pickleball world's version of the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf.

Who are the investors and owners in the VIBE Pickleball League?

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and longtime owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, was announced as the first team owner in the VIBE Pickleball League. The league is owned by Pickleball Inc. under the leadership of Tom Dundon, another Dallas-based billionaire. Additional ownership groups for the remaining five teams were expected to be announced ahead of the December 2022 Las Vegas draft.

Which professional players will compete in the VIBE Pickleball League?

VIBE will feature the top 5 ranked male and female players from the PPA Tour. Confirmed competitors in the draft pool include Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, Tyson McGuffin, Matt Wright, Riley Newman, Callie Smith, Jessie Irvine, Catherine Parenteau, Lucy Kovalova, JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier, and many more. The league is designed to showcase the very best of pro pickleball in a team competition format.

Where can I watch VIBE Pickleball League matches?

VIBE Pickleball League matches will be televised throughout the 2023 season through the PPA Tour's existing broadcast relationships, which include ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and Tennis Channel. Fans can also follow the league at vibepb.com and across social media channels including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.