FORBES: Drew Brees Becomes A Team Owner, In Pickleball

Drew Brees (left) and Major League Pickleball founder Steve Kuhn (right). Brees, who ranks second in NFL history to Tom Brady in passing yardage and touchdown passes, has joined MLP as a part owner of Mad Drops PC. MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL

Two months ago, Drew Brees laid out possibilities for his future endeavors in a Twitter post — a response to reports he was leaving NBC Sports (a move that would become official a month later). The retired Super Bowl-winning quarterback mentioned a return to football, focusing on business and philanthropy, and trying to play golf on the senior tour. Brees also suggested he might train for the pro pickleball tour.

It turns out there was a bit of foreshadowing with the pickleball mention. Brees has joined the ownership group of one of the 12 co-ed teams in Major League Pickleball: Mad Drops PC, saying he’s looking forward to bringing more attention to the nation’s fastest-growing participation sport.

“I look forward to helping raise awareness around the incredible players and competitions in MLP, helping grow the sport of pickleball and fostering overall fan engagement,” said Brees, noting that he’s an avid player, fan and student of a game that’s seen a surge in popularity in recent years.

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Yahoo News!: Drew Brees is now the co-owner of a professional pickleball team

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is getting into the pickleball game. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Drew Brees has found his next gig.

The longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback and former NBC analyst announced on Thursday that he is now the co-owner of a professional pickleball team.

Yep, you read that right.

“I am an avid pickleball player, fan and student of the game,” Brees said in a statement, via Nola.com. “The opportunity to be a part of the ownership group of the Mad Drops PC is something I’m extremely excited about, and I look forward to helping raise awareness around the incredible players and competitions in MLP, helping grow the sport of pickleball and fostering overall fan engagement.

"As a long-time professional athlete and competitor, myself, I look forward to working with the Mad Drops PC team in our relentless quest to win many championships in the years to come.”

It’s unclear how much Brees bought in to join the ownership group of the Austin-based Mad Drops Pickleball Club. Los Angeles Lakers owner Jim Buss and Bravo’s Ryan Serhant and entrepreneur Andrew Dodge also joined.

Brees’ new team is apparently set to compete next in Newport Beach, California, on Aug. 5.

While it’s definitely an unusual path for a former quarterback to take after they retire from the league, it shouldn’t be all that surprising.

First, owning a pickleball team isn’t that time consuming — meaning that Brees can still do other things. He’s rumored to be in talks to join Amazon’s broadcast team for its “Thursday Night Football” coverage this fall, too.

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CNBC: NFL legend Drew Brees used to joke about training for pickleball.

Now he co-owns a pro pickleball team

• Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has joined the ownership group of a Major League Pickleball team.

• Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country.

• Brees joins a number of other high-profile owners who have become pickleball backers.

Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints Gregory Shamus | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Retired NFL superstar Drew Brees is the latest major sports figure to get in on the pickleball craze.

Major League Pickleball announced Thursday that the one-time Super Bowl champion has joined the ownership group of the Austin, Texas, Mad Drops Pickleball Club.

The group also includes venture capital firm Good Alpha Industries, Los Angeles Lakers co-owner Jim Buss and Ryan Serhant of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing New York.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“I am an avid pickleball player, fan and student of the game,” said Brees, who played 20 years in the NFL, in a statement. “I look forward to helping raise awareness around the incredible players and competitions in MLP, helping grow the sport of pickleball and fostering overall fan engagement.”

Brees, who retired from football in 2021, spent the past season working for NBC Sports as an analyst before they mutually parted ways. In the past, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback has made jokes about “joining the pickleball tour,” but his most recent move comes at a time when the sport has seen explosive growth.

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