Pickleball continues to grow in popularity in metro Phoenix and throughout the country, and two Scottsdale business owners are capitalizing on Americans’ increased participation and engagement in the sport.
Patrick Sullivan Jr. and Ashley Leroux run Jigsaw Health, a health and nutrition products company. Their facility includes a warehouse converted into two indoor pickleball courts where live matches for their Arizona Pickleball League are played.
The in-person matches — which feature five teams of players called the Scottsdale Scorchers, Gilbert Gladiators, Peoria Pythons, Tempe Tornadoes and Surprise Stingers — are played in front of about 150 fans who, for the price of admission ($65-$75), get all-inclusive food and drink, and the pickleball court not being used is turned into a VIP area.
The inaugural season was last year and two seasons have been played. The 20 players (men and women) were almost all locally based to start; now there are players from around the country and one from Japan who are scheduled to take part next season.