Are you tired of playing with pickleballs that are inconsistent in bounce and durability? Well, you’re not alone. The founder and CEO of Life Time, Bahram Akradi, felt the same way and decided to take matters into his own hands by creating what he calls “the ultimate pickleball.”
Life Time recently filed a patent for this innovative pickleball, which will be exclusively available at Life Time clubs starting this month. Akradi saw a problem in the sport that needed to be solved, and he believes this new ball will do just that.
Since 2021, Akradi has been heavily investing in America’s fastest-growing sport and sees it as a key part of Life Time’s growth strategy. The company’s stock has risen by 57% year to date, and with a strong second-quarter performance, they have raised their full-year guidance.
In addition to offering the ball at their clubs, Life Time will also sell it at their racquet sports pro shops and online. The company is still finalizing the pricing details. With over 700 permanent pickleball courts in their “athletic country clubs,” Life Time plans to have 1,000 courts by the end of next year.
Akradi mentioned that Life Time has already invested between $50 million and $100 million in pickleball and the sport contributes 6% to 7% of the company’s membership dues. They also host professional tournaments for Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association at their clubs.
To further grow the sport, Life Time has partnered with tennis legend Andre Agassi and top-rated pickleball player Ben Johns. They have also secured Lululemon as their official apparel sponsor for tennis and pickleball.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Life Time’s pickleball journey and the launch of “the ultimate pickleball” at their clubs. Join us at Extreme Investor Network for exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes coverage of this game-changing innovation in the world of pickleball.