Combining elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, pickleball continues to see an upswing in popularity. Support for America’s fastest-growing sport extends locally in the form of the Austin-based Texas Ranchers, one of Major League Pickleball’s eight founding teams. Celebrity-led groups co-own multiple teams across MLP, but the Ranchers might have the cream of the crop. Last October, prolific rapper/avid sports fan Lil Wayne joined a stacked Ranchers ownership group and also took on the role of strategic adviser. Other co-owners include country music artist Zach Bryan, 2024 Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, and designer/entrepreneur Kendra Scott.
