NBA star Patty Mills acquires stake in pickleball team Brisbane Breakers
Patty Mills has joined the ranks of elite Australian athletes and prominent business figures endorsing Australia’s official professional pickleball league, Major League Pickleball Australia, joining the ownership group backing the defending champion Brisbane Breakers.
“This opportunity is not just an investment in a team, but in the future of the sport, the athletes who play it, and the community that supports it,” expressed Australian Boomers legend Mills, currently playing for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA.
“I believe in the power of sport to inspire, unite, and create positive change, and I see the Brisbane Breakers as a pivotal part of this vision.
“Together, we aim to cultivate talent, foster a culture of excellence, and make a lasting impact both on and off the court. I am excited to embark on this journey and contribute to writing a new chapter in Australian sport.”
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Brisbane Breakers, led by Captain Ludovica Sciaky, emerged as the competition’s inaugural overall winners in 2023 and are considered one of Major League Pickleball’s formidable contenders in the ongoing season, which kicked off last week.
Anthony Liveris, President of Pacific Pickleball, applauded Mills’ involvement, stating, “Patty Mills represents the best of a global Australia. Widely respected for his leadership and sports knowledge, Patty’s involvement will rapidly bolster pickleball’s growth.”
Adam Thompson, CEO of Pacific Pickleball, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Patty and the exceptional organisation behind him. He is a true Australian icon.”
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Mills joins Andrew Liveris’ family office as part of the ownership group behind the Breakers.
The Canberra-born 35-year-old made his international basketball debut for the Boomers in 2007 before being drafted by Portland Trail Blazers in 2009. He has enjoyed NBA stints at San Antonio Spurs (including a championship in 2014), Brooklyn Nets and, as of this season, the Hawks.
Major League Pickleball Australia, now entering its second year, is the official professional pickleball league of Australia, boasting a substantial prize pool exceeding $700,000 across six events in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
The league features 12 professional teams, showcasing top regional players alongside international talents. The season commenced in Sydney last weekend, with Northern Crocs victorious over South East Asia Surge.
The next event is scheduled for March 29-31 in Auckland, New Zealand.
