The Pickleball Club Secures Fifth Florida Location at The Villages

October 19, 2022 – Sarasota

Brian McCarthy, Founder & CEO of The Pickleball Club, announced today that they have entered into a purchase agreement for their fifth location in Florida. They are acquiring a 4.69-acre parcel at NE 62^nd Terrace, located at The Villages in Sumpter County, one of the most active pickleball communities in the country with over 220 outside pickleball courts and an estimated 30,000 players. 

“We anticipate starting construction in April 2023 with a planned opening in early 2024,” said McCarthy. The indoor complex will feature 16 indoor pickleball courts and four outdoor bocce ball courts inside a 40,773 square foot building with parking for 160 vehicles. 

The Pickleball Club LLC (TPC), founded by commercial real estate and business entrepreneurs Brian and Valerie McCarthy, along with their business partner Matthew Gordon, is deploying over $180 million to build at least 15 indoor private pickleball clubs throughout the state of Florida. 

The first venture to break ground is The Pickleball Club’s location in Sarasota by Lakewood Ranch, which is under construction, and scheduled to open in January 2023. Taking membership applications now, the Sarasota club’s outdoor courts will open next month for private events and membership drives. This and all locations are members only, privately-owned, for-profit sports clubs, fulfilling the niche for indoor amenity-based pickleball play and the growing interest in private club membership. The Pickleball Club has acquired land in Port St. Lucie, Bonita Springs and now Sumpter County, Florida and will acquire a parcel in Fort Myers this month.  

“With major sports stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady and others getting in on the Pickleball craze that is sweeping the nation, we know the time is now to be the market leader during this all-important land grab phase of the industry to secure indoor space,” said Matt Gordon, co-founder and chief financial officer. “Especially in hotter or wetter climates, the option to play in air-conditioned space is crucial.” 

The Company invests over $1 million in each club’s technology, programming, and systems development including multiple software platforms that integrate seamlessly for reservations, events, menus, and matching players together based on rankings. 

Each club will feature HD video systems by PlaySight Technology, which the Club’s instructional professionals can integrate into lessons and clinic offerings.  This technology is used by over 30 professional sport teams multiple D-1 collegiate sports programs. 

“The amenity-based customer experience will be like nothing else in the market today,” said chief operating officer of TPC, Valerie McCarthy. “We will use technology, championship-grade courts, programming, member events, and significant seating areas to provide ample opportunities for socialization before, during or after pickleball gameplay.  Our members are looking to have great experiences, build relationships, and have fun, while pursuing a healthy lifestyle; it’s so much more than a sweat-and-go type of facility.” 

Further reinforcing the full-service strategy, each Club will feature a Pickles Cafe, that will offer beer, wine, smoothies, and a full range of coffee and espresso-based drinks, in addition to typical café fare.  Club’s will also have a Dink Pro Shop, with an industry leading paddle demo program with at least 25 different paddles that members can try for free.  

Supporting The Pickleball Club’s growth has been a significant amount of equity and debt capital providers.  The company currently has over 50 shareholders and has raised nearly $6 million in equity over the past year and a half.  The Pickleball Club LLC owns all their clubs. The Pickleball Club is currently accepting accredited investors.