Major League Pickleball’s AZ Drive Sells Controlling Stake at Over $10 Million Team Valuation to Group Headlined by Charles Darling and Tim Fyke of Proton Sports, Former NFL QB Jake Plummer, and Financial Professional Jeff Tsao

Proton – An Innovative, Arizona-Based, Paddle Brand – Becomes Latest Brand To Deepen Ties With An MLP Team At The Ownership Level

Major League Pickleball (MLP) today announced that the AZ Drive have sold a controlling stake in the team at a valuation of over $10 million to a group highlighted by Charles Darling and Tim Fyke of Proton Sports, former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, and financial professional Jeff Tsao. They join the existing Drive ownership group, which is headlined by NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald, Oz Pearlman, Magnus Carlson, and Doug Hirsch.

Proton’s investment represents the most recent brand – joining Anheuser-Busch with the Atlanta Bouncers and Lotto with the Brooklyn Aces – to deepen their relationship with an MLP team at the ownership level. MLP is continuing to innovate on this front and excited to work with brands to identify these opportunities.

“It’s amazing to see the momentum around UPA’s business continue following the most successful year in pro pickleball history in 2024,” said Samin Odhwani, UPA Chief Strategy Officer. “Charles and Jeff are going to be amazing additions to MLP’s team ownership ranks thanks to their heavy involvement in, and passion for, pickleball at all levels.”

Darling and Tsao join a collection of more than 75 celebrities from across pro sports, entertainment, and business as team owners in the coed, team-based, pro pickleball league that features over 100 of the best professional players in the world and 22 franchises playing in a collection of thrilling, fan-friendly events over the course of a dedicated season.

“As an Arizona-based company, Proton is a huge believer in the continuing and explosive growth opportunities for pickleball in the state,” said Darling, “We are thrilled to invest at the MLP team ownership level, joining our local MLP franchise and its great collection of existing owners.”

Proton Pickleball was officially launched in 2024, innovating paddle design with the use of carbon fiber. Proton is investing at all levels of the sport, from MLP team ownership; to a partnership with the United Pickleball Association (UPA); to paddle production; to powering the Junior PPA Tour; to sponsoring multiple 2025 PPA Tour events, including title sponsorship of Australia Pickleball Open and presenting sponsorship of PPA Tour Carvana Mesa Cup.

The 2025 MLP season will begin in Orlando, FL, Apr. 24-27, and feature an expanded schedule of 10 regular season events – all to be played from April-August in MLP team markets for the first time to grow fandom in local communities – in addition to the Mid-Season Tournament, two-week MLP Playoffs, plus November’s MLP Cup.