FILE PHOTO: Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu became the co-owner of Major League Pickleball (MLP) franchise Palm Beach Royals. Credit: AP
Palm Beach Royals, the franchise set to join Major League Pickleball in 2026, have added a new set of owners to its existing ownership group. The team was acquired for a record $16 million by Hyperspace Ventures, a group of UNC-Chapel Hill alumni and tech entrepreneurs. Hyperspace Ventures is led by former Tar Heel tennis players Zach Hunter, Taylor Meyer, and Alex Rafiee, alongside fellow alumnus Peter Fox.
Joining them are former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, ice hockey player Aleksander Barkov, former UNC basketball stars Tyler Hansbrough and Marvin Williams, Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowler Kenny Moore II, and successful founders Mitch Heath (Teamworks), Jeff Keswin (Lyrical Partners), Lance Pillersdorf (Advertising Week), and Scott Scherr (Ultimate Software).
“Palm Beach is ready for its first major pro team,” said Hunter. “We’re building the Royals to compete at the highest level and to become a team that defines the next era of Major League Pickleball. Just like Palm Beach itself, the Royals will embody prestige, energy, and a world-class brand that makes this community special.”
The Hyperspace Ventures group is known for its expertise in both competitive sports and technology. In the past, the company invested $5.3 million in Pickleball Inc. To date, Hyperspace has invested over $21 million into the sport.
The franchise has already laid out its plans for the future, including running youth clinics and community pickleball festivals across Palm Beach County. It is also looking for business partnerships to make pickleball a permanent part of the region’s athletic culture.
“We’re honoured to bring a professional pickleball team to this storied community, and proud to help usher in a new era of championship sport in Palm Beach,” said Meyer. “We want every Palm Beach area resident to feel like they’re part of the Royals family, whether they’re cheering courtside or picking up a paddle for the first time.”
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