Tom Brady-backed $75,000,000 league faces emergency setback threatening millions in loan: Report

In 2022, former NFL quarterback Tom Brady invested in Major League Pickleball. Brady headlined an ownership group purchasing an expansion team for the 2023 season.

Other athletes, such as LeBron James, Draymond Green and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, also invested in the MLP.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and has become increasingly popular over the years. However, the MLP is facing a major issue.

According to professional pickleball player Jillian Braverman, who put a thread on X yesterday, the UPA is facing a "$10 million emergency bridge loan" and needs the required money by Jan. 15 to continue its operation.

Braverman tweeted:

"Ten months after the blockbuster “$75 Million” merger between Major League Pickleball (Lebron James, Tom Brady, Anheuser-Busch) and Tom Dundon’s (Carvana, Top Golf) backed PPA Tour, the new entity (the UPA) needs an emergency bridge loan of $10mm by January 15 to meet its financial obligations.

"At the same time the bridge loan request was sent to MLP team owners, and not without irony, the UPA announced via press release “PRO PICKLEBALL CONTINUES TO EXPLODE: PPA TOUR AND MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL HAVE BEST YEAR EVER IN 2024.”

There hasn't been an announced plan by any major investors or anyone at the top of the profession on whether or not they will receive the additional $10 million by its deadline.

What are some of Tom Brady's other investments?

Tom Brady, left, Brandon Graham, right, during Pittsburgh Steelers v Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Getty

Tom Brady is one of the richest athletes of all time. According to Spotrac, Brady earned $332 million in his 23-year playing career. He inked a 10-year $375 million deal with Fox Sports to become a color commentator once he retired.

Even before retiring from the NFL, Brady has also been heavily involved in business, making more money on the side.

In 2013, Brady co-founded his sports brand, "TB12, with longtime trainer Alex Guerrero. He then co-founded the performance sportswear company "BRADY" in 2021.

He's become a minority investor in the WNBA franchise Las Vegas Aces, the Pickleball team Las Vegas Night Owls, the NFL team Las Vegas Raiders and many other business endeavors.

Brady has also been in some films (Ted 2, Entourage) and has made some TV show appearances (Family Guy, The Simpsons, Entourage, etc.)