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Celebrity Pickleball in the spotlight

Celebrity Pickleball in the spotlight

Team KOTC
February 25, 2025

Celebrity Pickleball Bash
Pickleball Slam 3
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Celebrity Pickleball Bash

It’s not the first time celebrities have dived into the world of Pickleball, but the Celebrity Pickleball Bash is taking the crossover to a whole ‘notha level.

Co-founded by Ben Shapiro (former NBA exec & sports agency founder) and businessman Nick Vlahos, Celebrity Pickleball Bash is a series of events that kicked off in San Francisco, Feb 15-16.

In what they’ve dubbed “Pickletainment,” the Bash celebrates the excitement of this sport through celeb/pro matchups and team events, inventive VIP experiences, and live music performances. Aside from luxurious box seating to watch the events, other VIP experiences included a cigar night, clinics with pros, and a yoga class taught by celeb instructor Peter Walters.

PPA pros participating in the event were Christian Alshon, Parris Todd, Jessie Irvine, and Hayden Patriquin. Celebrities included Jalen Brunson (also a co-founder of the event), Terrell Owens, Erik & Jesse James Decker, Mario Lopez, Brandi Chastain, John Isner, and more.

Feel sad you missed it? No worries - the TV premiere of the event will be broadcast this weekend on PBTV, Tennis Channel, and T2.

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That’s not all! As we mentioned, this was the kick-off of what is planned to be a series of events (exact dates and locations are still TBA): Vegas in July, NYC in August, and back in San Francisco in September.

ICYMI: Pickleball Slam 3

Pickleball Slam 3, hosted at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, was a means of bringing national attention to the world’s fastest-growing sport. The event featured returning champions Andre Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf, who won Pickleball Slam 1 & 2.

Agassi and Graf were joined on their team by tennis pro Marty Fish, and they faced off against Andy Roddick, Genie Bouchard and John Isner. In games to 15, the matchups were:

Andre vs. Andy (Andre won 15-11, 15-10)
Steffi/Marty vs. Genie/John (Steffi/Marty won 15-14, 15-14)
Andre/Steffi vs. Andy/Genie. (Andy/Genie 9-15, 15-11, 11-10)

Yes, the scoring was a bit odd— maybe it was all made up to ramp up the excitement. The first two matches were worth 1 point each, and the third match was worth 2, so at the end, the two teams were tied 2-2. A Dreambreaker to 11 was the deciding factor, with Agassi and Marty facing Andy and John. Ultimately, Team Agassi came out 11-8, winning the whole Slam, and $1 million in prize money.