While the exchange of players or draft picks is a regular occurrence in professional sports, trades involving the ownership of entire teams are significantly more unusual.
A recent announcement in April from Major League Pickleball confirmed a rare event: the ownership rights of the D.C. Pickleball Team and the Brooklyn Aces franchises would be swapped before the new season. This essentially means the previous owners of the Brooklyn team have taken control of the D.C. team, and the former D.C. team owners now own the Brooklyn franchise.
Previously, the Brooklyn Aces were owned by Boardroom Sport Holdings, represented by Rich Kleiman and NBA star Kevin Durant. The D.C. team`s ownership group included real estate investor Al Tylis and Sam Porter, who previously held an executive position with MLS team D.C. United. This group also featured notable athletes like NFL receiver Odell Beckham Jr., former NBA players Rip Hamilton and Shawn Marion, and MLB pitcher Justin Verlander.
The most recent instance of professional franchises swapping owners occurred in 1978 with a deal between the Boston Celtics and the then-Buffalo Braves. American film producer Irv Levin acquired the Braves, while entrepreneur John Y. Brown and businessman Harry Mangurian took over the Celtics.
Kleiman noted that the historical context didn`t immediately cross his mind during the process, but acknowledged it adds an interesting layer to what is viewed as a beneficial strategic maneuver for Major League Pickleball`s progression.
“When you mention it, it does sound quite intriguing,” Kleiman shared. “And I believe the concept behind it, especially when you own a team in a developing league like this, feels very fresh as you navigate it… Being able to execute such a transaction was enjoyable. The very idea was exciting.”
Tylis, who grew up in Coney Island, New York, first proposed the idea to Kleiman roughly two months prior.
“I wasn`t anticipating that call, and I wasn`t sure how feasible it was,” Kleiman stated. “But as soon as I heard it, it immediately made perfect sense to me and became something I wanted to pursue.”
When Kleiman and Durant acquired the Brooklyn team in October 2022, Durant was playing for the Nets. Kleiman, being a New York native, appreciated the connection to the city. However, Durant was born in Washington and has established a strong presence in the D.C. area through his foundation, Thirty-Five Ventures (35V), according to Kleiman.
Conversely, Tylis, the new general manager for Brooklyn Josh Gartman, and chief operating officer Adam Behnke all reside in Brooklyn. This group also has existing ties to the D.C. region: Porter, part of Tylis`s ownership group, was an executive at D.C. United, and Behnke also previously worked as an executive there. Tylis himself was a part-owner of the club at one point, he mentioned. These connections significantly influenced their decision to acquire the franchise.
The Tylis group became more involved with the D.C. team and the league locally, organizing more events in the area.
“Every time we conducted events in the Washington, D.C., region, we`d think, wow, this is fantastic, we`re seeing so much fan participation and community interest,” Tylis explained. “But how much more could we achieve if this was in our own vicinity?”
“When you`re aiming to build from the ground up through grassroots efforts, it feels like there`s no substitute for being physically present in the market for the majority of the year, rather than just traveling there and eventually leaving,” he added.
This realization prompted Tylis to contact Kleiman, proposing the unconventional trade idea to switch operating cities.
Kleiman had prior experience in the D.C. area, having once managed Washington-born rapper Wale. However, Durant`s considerable existing influence in the region was the primary factor making the swap appealing to Kleiman.
Durant was the first person Kleiman contacted to discuss the potential trade. Kleiman, who has managed the two-time NBA champion since 2012 and is his business partner through 35V, recounted that Durant smiled broadly during their FaceTime call and exclaimed, “Yes, let`s make this happen in D.C.!”
“I have great affection for the entire DMV area and have become very comfortable working there over my career,” Kleiman said. “I know the region well. But, naturally, Kevin`s deep connection to his hometown, his family being there, and the extensive work we continue to do in the community through his organization made it an obvious choice once the possibility was presented to me.”
Kleiman then informed his other partners and began discussions about the trade with their investors and sponsors.
He described the process of setting things in motion as “somewhat involved,” but everyone ultimately supported the move. Kleiman and Tylis frequently play pickleball together, which they credit with building a strong level of mutual trust.
They presented the proposal to the league and required approval from the board of directors of the United Pickleball Association, the parent company for Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association.
“I think everyone quickly grasped, as I initially suggested,” Tylis commented, “that this is a win for Kevin, Rich, and their team. It`s a win for us, and importantly, it`s a win for the league.”
MLP launched in September 2021. Making a strategic move like this in its early stages could significantly aid the league`s expansion.
Tylis likened the league`s current state to the top of the second inning in a baseball game, emphasizing the flexibility and creative possibilities available. Both he and Kleiman believe the swap is a beneficial step for MLP`s future.
“We`re taking a long-term perspective on this,” Tylis affirmed. “And over the remainder of this nine-inning game, our ability to cultivate our fanbase in New York, particularly in Brooklyn, will be far more impactful than if we had remained in D.C. I believe the same holds true for the team now based in D.C.”
It`s still early for either ownership group to have solidified specific plans for their new franchise locations. However, the move opens the door for a larger ambition Tylis holds: establishing permanent home courts.
Currently, MLP events are held in six different cities, without a traditional home-and-away schedule. Tylis is confident that this will change eventually.
“I truly believe that given our growth rate and the increasing interest and participation in the sport, we will reach a point where all teams will have dedicated home facilities and courts,” Tylis stated. “And that provides an additional incentive for operating in your local area, where we could potentially build our own stadium one day, designed not only for the Brooklyn pickleball team but also capable of hosting other pickleball or community events.”
With his background in real estate, Tylis is well-positioned to pursue such a vision. Meanwhile, Kleiman is enthusiastic about introducing the sport to new demographics and the communities where Durant grew up and continues to support through his foundation.
