Today, the Pro Padel League (PPL) – North America’s first professional Padel league – is excited to announce that MATRIX PADEL has purchased the League’s sixth franchise located in Northwest Arkansas. The franchise is the first team in the United States based in the Midwest region of the country.
Purchased by Barbara Hudson, Shannon Hudson, and Johan Den Toom, the new Owners of MATRIX PADEL founded the MATRIX CLUB in Northwest Arkansas in 2021. A premier, member-based facility for Padel, pickleball, tennis, and group fitness, Hudson and Den Toom are committed to growing Padel, racquet sports and the fitness communities. Avid players of all the sports they offer at MATRIX, the MATRIX PADEL Owners met while playing tennis for the Razorbacks at the University of Arkansas in 2013 and were both ranked in the top five of their native countries during their junior tennis careers.
“Barbara, Shannon, and Johan are close friends of mine and we have been working together to promote Padel for many years. Their MATRIX Club is one of the top Padel and racquet facilities in North America.” said Marcos del Pilar, Commissioner of the PPL. “I am so excited to have them as the Owners of the first PPL team in the Midwest region of the U.S.”
“As a business owner, I am proud to be a part of the ground-breaking movement of professional Padel in North America. Acquiring one of the first teams in the Pro Padel League is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting sport and help shape its future,” commented Shannon Hudson, Team Owner of MATRIX PADEL. “I am eager to take on the challenge and bring the PPL to new heights in North America and eventually the rest of the world!”
“Bringing the excitement and passion of Padel to North America is a thrilling opportunity to be a part of the growth of a fast-paced and dynamic sport,” added Johan Den Toom, Team Owner of MATRIX PADEL. “Padel is capturing the hearts of athletes and fans alike. I am honored to be a part of this journey.”
In the upcoming weeks, the PPL will be announcing other key cities that have been awarded franchises. These teams will ignite a Padel phenomenon in the U.S. and position the PPL at the forefront of the Padel explosion that is happening in North America.
The PPL’s inaugural season will kick-off in the Spring of 2023 and conclude with the PPL CUP Championship. During the first season, each team will consist of two male and two female players and will follow the international scoring format.
The PPL’s mission is to create a premier sports league providing a national stage for the sport while generating nationwide awareness and excitement for Padel. Something that has never been done before, the PPL will provide players and fans with a new platform that showcases Padel and grows participation in the sport.
Currently, Padel has over 25 million players worldwide and is growing in popularity in the U.S. with the number of Padel courts set to double in 2023. Over 8 million players are projected to be playing in the U.S. by 2030. The PPL will enable players, coaches, team owners, facility owners, broadcasters, fans, sponsors, and brands to all be involved in, and capitalize on, the sport’s explosive growth.
The league is dedicated to celebrating Padel’s Spanish roots and has made VAMOS the PPL’s official slogan. For more information on the PPL, visit: https://propadelleague.com/. VAMOS!
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About the Pro Padel League
The Pro Padel League (PPL) is North America’s first professional Padel Teams league. The PPL’s mission is to create a premier sports league providing a national stage for the sport while generating nationwide awareness and excitement for Padel as it continues to grow across North America. The PPL’s high octane team competition will kick-off in the Spring of 2023 with six teams or more and conclude with the PPL CUP where the four best teams will compete for the title. During the first season, each team will consist of two male and two female players and will follow the international scoring format. For more information on the PPL, visit: https://propadelleague.com/
