A Major League Pickleball team was acquired for a record $16 million in South Florida by Hyperspace Ventures, and the Palm Beach Royals are crowned the city’s first major professional sports team.
The Palm Beach Royals will make history as the city’s first major professional sports franchise, joining Major League Pickleball in 2026. The team was acquired for a record $16 million by Hyperspace Ventures, a group of UNC-Chapel Hill alumni and tech entrepreneurs.
Hyperspace Ventures is led by former Tar Heel tennis players Zach Hunter, Taylor Meyer, and Alex Rafiee, alongside fellow alumnus Peter Fox. Joining their ownership group are Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, former UNC basketball stars Tyler Hansbrough & Marvin Williams, Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowler Kenny Moore II, and successful founders Mitch Heath (Teamworks), Jeff Keswin (Lyrical Partners), Lance Pillersdorf (Advertising Week), & Scott Scherr (Ultimate Software).
The Royals will join Major League Pickleball as its 23rd team, following a 2025 season that saw record growth in attendance, broadcast reach, and sponsorships…