Major League Pickleball's LA Team Reportedly Sells Majority Stake at $13M Valuation

Pickleball continues to increase in popularity across the United States, and the valuation of franchises have started to reflect that.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Wednesday that a majority stake in the Los Angeles Mad Drops of Major League Pickleball sold at a franchise valuation of $13 million. Alex Geesbreght led the group that purchased the team.

The sale comes after the expansion Palm Beach Royals were given a $16 million franchise valuation. Stein noted those are the two largest transactions since MLP and the PPA Tour merged last year.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will remain as part of the ownership group after the majority stake sale.

This comes after the Mad Drops made headlines last month with what Todd Boss of Forbes called "the biggest trade in the history of the league."

They acquired star Ben Johns from the Carolina Hogs in a three-team trade that also included the Utah Black Diamonds. Johns was the No. 1 draft pick in the 2024 player disbursal draft and gives Los Angeles plenty of star power.

With Tatum and Allen also a part of the ownership group, there is no shortage of star power surrounding the Mad Drops.

And a new buyer wanted to get in on that and purchased a majority stake in the franchise.