Frances Tiafoe invests in New York's pro padel team
- Frances Tiafoe first tried padel in Spain during the Madrid Open and found it a challenging sport to master.
- He invested in the New York Atlantics of the Pro Padel League, marking his entry into the professional padel scene.
- Tiafoe believes that padel has significant potential to grow in the U.S. sports market.
In Spain, during the Madrid Open, Frances Tiafoe first encountered padel, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. This spring experience sparked his enthusiasm for a game that is gaining popularity, particularly in Europe, though it remains nascent in the United States. Currently, only about 100,000 Americans play padel recreationally. Tiafoe's belief in the sport's potential led him to join the New York Atlantics of the Pro Padel League, where he secured around a 3.3% stake in the team while also taking up the role of strategic advisor. His investment comes as part of a broader funding round surpassing $2 million, alongside contributions from notable athletes like Maarten Paes from MLS's FC Dallas and ex-professional tennis player Gordon Uehling. Tiafoe's perception is that New York is an ideal market for sports ventures, further solidifying the franchise's valuation at over $10 million as it competes against pickleball, a slower-paced rival sport. While Tiafoe expresses a less favorable view of pickleball, citing its perceived lack of challenge, he advocates for the more dynamic and strategic nature of padel. The Pro Padel League began with seven teams across North America and has expanded, now counting ten teams. The viability of this league, however, faces challenges reminiscent of past failures in niche sports, raising questions about its sustainability and growth potential in a competitive sports landscape.