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The Pickleball Academy is proud to announce that four-time World Series Champion and New York Yankees legend Tino Martinez has joined the The Pickleball Academy team as an Ambassador and Strategic Partner.

Martinez, a longtime Tampa Bay resident and fan favorite in Major League Baseball, brings his championship mindset, community spirit and love for the game of Pickleball to one of the fastest-growing pickleball organizations in the country.

His involvement will include appearances at events, support of youth and community programming and promotion of the sport’s positive impact on health, connection and lifestyle.

“I’ve fallen in love with the energy and competitive fun of pickleball,” Martinez said. “The Pickleball Academy is building something really special, and I’m excited to help it grow, not just in Florida, but across the Southeast.”

Founded as Tampa Bay Pickleball in 2023 by Ben and Kennedy Klaus — just 16 and 20 years old at the time — The Pickleball Academy quickly has become a national leader in the sport. Its flagship facility in Oldsmar, Florida is among the top performing pickleball facilities in the nation in revenue per court, generating over $150,000 per court annually and significantly outperforming national competitors.

“Tino’s love for Tampa, his competitive spirit and his focus on family make him a perfect match for what we’re building at The Pickleball Academy,” said Kennedy Klaus, co-founder of The Pickleball Academy.

Co-founder Ben Klaus added: “Tino represents excellence, leadership and community. Add in his love of pickleball, and he’s a natural fit for our team and for the sport itself. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Academy family.”

With explosive momentum, The Pickleball Academy is expanding rapidly. New locations in Savannah, Ga. and Smyrna (Atlanta), Ga. are now open, with Lakeland, Fla., Greenville, S.C., and Peachtree Corners (Atlanta), Ga. opening in the coming months.

The addition of Tino as an ambassador and strategic partner marks a meaningful milestone in The Pickleball Academy’s mission to build community, connection, and a shared love of the game.

About The Pickleball Academy

Founded as Tampa Bay Pickleball – The Pickleball Academy is a family-run business and national leader in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. The Pickleball Academy’s curated and event driven model offers a welcoming environment for beginners, structured leagues and tournaments, professional instruction, private court rentals and flexible options for group events like birthdays and corporate outings — creating an inclusive community for players of all skill levels.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Please Contact:
Eric Klaus 727-643-6987 (text)
Eric@TBPickleball.com
www.TBPickleball.com/TinoMartinez