An investment group led by Thirty-5 Capital brings a Major League Pickleball team, the Chicago Slice, to the city.
An investment group led by Ron Saslow's Thirty-5 Capital has acquired a Major League Pickleball (MLP) team to be known as the Chicago Slice. Other owners include supermodel and entertainer Heidi Klum; "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin; internet personality David Dobrik; Grand Slam champions Chris Evert, Gigi Fernandez, Lindsay Davenport, and Tracy Austin; two-time World Series champion David Justice; Grammy-nominated guitarist Joe Bonamassa; Tennis Channel founder Steve Bellamy; and prominent Chicago business leaders including Tom Ricketts, Andy Mills, Jeff Aronin, Craig Bondy, and Ted Foxman.
We are extremely excited to bring a Major League Pickleball team to Chicago, backed by a fun group of enthusiastic owners. We have seen the astounding rate at which this sport has grown, both at the grassroots and professional levels, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to continue that momentum in a tremendous sports town like Chicago.
Ron Saslow, Founder & Managing Partner, Thirty-5 Capital
The 2023 MLP format will see the Chicago Slice compete in two seasons from January to December. They will play their first three events, in Mesa, AZ; Daytona Beach, FL; and San Clemente, CA, at the Challenger level with a roster of four up-and-coming stars. In July, the Slice will re-draft at the Premier level for the second half of the year. Results across both levels will place the Slice into either the Premier or Challenger level in 2024, with a promotion and relegation system in place for the first time in major American sports.
The expansion team continues to set MLP up for its largest season in 2023, as the league grows from 12 to 24 teams, doubles events from three to six, and increases player prize money and payouts to a possible $5 million.
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is the premier team league and standard-bearer for the fastest-growing sport in the United States. With iconic team owners, a coed team format, an innovative draft, easy-to-understand scoring, and the highest prize money events in pro pickleball, MLP's goal is to elevate and grow the sport in everything it does.
Thirty-5 Capital is a private equity firm with the mission of helping early stage and family businesses grow through the strategic infusion of capital and hands-on leadership. The firm holds a robust portfolio in sports innovation and technology companies, including United Pickleball Properties, LLC. thirtyfivecapital.com