PR Newswire
Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 5:01 AM 8 min read
Launching in Philadelphia in July, Followed by Boston and Miami, Ballers is the Brainchild of Equinox Veterans and Fitler Club Founders, David Gutstadt and Amanda Potter
$20mm Series A Round Led by Sharp Alpha, RHC Group and Backed by Celebrities and Pro Athletes, the Venues Will Feature Pickleball, Padel Courts and More, Dedicated Recovery Spaces and Elevated Dining Concepts
ballers-us.com // @ballers.social.sports
, /PRNewswire/ -- Ballers, a first-of-its-kind hospitality-driven social sports venue, is set to redefine how people connect through athletics as it brings its concept nationwide – starting with the Philadelphia flagship opening in July. Conceived by Good City Studio and Vero Capital, Ballers combines elevated design, world-class sports facilities, dedicated recovery spaces and unique dining concepts to create dynamic social hubs for sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The team is further capitalizing on the ever-growing popularity of racquet sports with a $30M launch pipeline including openings in Boston's Seaport and Miami by 2026.
Created by business (and life) partners David Gutstadt and Amanda Potter – who got their start in the wellness space with world-renowned lifestyle brand Equinox and its hospitality arm, Equinox Hotels – Ballers was developed in partnership with Daniel Bassichis of Vero Capital to be a vibrant third space where people can play, socialize and build community both on and off the court. The $20mm Series A round was led by two leading sports & consumer investment firms – Sharp Alpha and RHC Group – and is further backed by a high profile group of investors, celebrities and pro athletes that includes tennis icons Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters and Sloane Stephens; the World No. 3 singles pickleball player, Connor Garnett; MLS star and padel aficionado Maarten Paes; and Philadelphia 76ers owner David Blitzer. With this powerful group behind the concept, the Ballers team has an ambitious plan to open 50+ locations in the next 7-10 years, expanding to key markets including Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Connecticut and Toronto.
The rising popularity of fitness activities coupled with consumer desire for social interaction only continues to fuel the demand for racquet sports. Recent research by RacquetX, the leading research group for the racquet sports industry, revealed the emergence of a 'cross-court consumer,' with 43% of responders playing more than one racquet sport in the last year or intending to diversify their play. The research also noted tremendous growth potential in public courts and clubs opening up access for sports across the category – pickleball, padel, tennis, etc.
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