'I Have Always Enjoyed the Game': Vince...

Vince Vaughn is expanding his empire

Published Time: 26.07.2024 - 04:31:13 Modified Time: 26.07.2024 - 04:31:13

Vince Vaughn is expanding his empire.

On Thursday, July 25, it was announced that the Freaky star, 54, was venturing outside of acting and into sports ownership after becoming a majority stake owner of California's Coachella Valley Scorpions.

The National Pickleball League (NPL) team’s co-owner Kim Jagd shared the news in a press release, saying, “When you’re on the court with Vince, you can feel his energy and excitement for pickleball.”

“His involvement is an exciting development for the team and will help the Scorpions continue to build their brand both in Coachella Valley, and in the broader Southern California area,” she continued of the Wedding Crashers talent.

Vaughn added, “I have always enjoyed the game and in meeting Kim I was impressed with her, not only as a player, but her passion and style of coaching. I’m excited to support her and the Scorpions on their journey.”

The Coachella Valley Scorpions are a newer pickleball team, recently launching in May.

The NPL excelled in its inaugural season in 2023, according to the press release, and doubled its number of teams this season. The 2024 season will include stops in Chicago, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Houston.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“We are thrilled to have an icon like Vince Vaughn illustrate his passion for the game of pickleball by acquiring a majority stake in the Coachella Valley Scorpions,” said NPL CEO Paul Bamundo.

“The league has experienced unprecedented growth over the first two seasons, and to have Vaughn’s investment in our lea -

Kamala Harris Joins TikTok,...

gue really underscores the surging interest of the sport in California and across the country,” he added.

The Championship Weekend location is yet to be determined, but the event will take place October 17-20.

Vaughn’s pickleball venture puts him with fellow stars such as Drake and Michael B. Jordan, who also joined as investors of the sport in July 2023.

“Excited to have this ace up our sleeve,” the Major League Pickleball organization tweeted following the announcement that the Grammy winner and the Creed III actor, both 37, were a part of Brooklyn’s new investment group alongside businessman Steve Stoute and others.

Other high-profile celebrities who have invested in pickleball teams in recent years include NBA stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Draymond Green.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Earlier this year, Vaughn and the former New England Patriots star worlds collided when they put their acting and sports skills together and teamed up for BetMGM’s Super Bowl ad.

“BetMGM is for everyone that loves sports betting, everyone, but Tom Brady,” Vaughn said in the commercial.

"Wait, what did I do?” Brady, 46, asked, to which the actor replied: “The truth is, you’ve won too much, Tom, you let others have their turn.”

Vaughn’s Bad Monkey premieres on Apple TV+ on Aug. 14.