Life Time Founder, Chairman, and CEO Bahram Akradi named tennis legend and pickleball enthusiast Andre Agassi as the inaugural chair of the company’s newly formed Pickleball and Tennis Board.
With Akradi, who will serve as Board Co-Chair, Agassi will spearhead efforts to elevate the profile, programming, leagues, and community of tennis and pickleball.
With a career with eight Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal, Agassi earned international renown as an icon in the tennis world and aligns with Life Time’s mission to “help people live healthier, happier lives.” More recently, Agassi has become passionate about pickleball as a player and investor in the sport and product design.
Life Time has 260 courts across nearly 30 of the company’s athletic country clubs nationwide. For pickleball, in 2021, Akradi committed for Life Time to become the nation’s leader in pickleball courts and programming. It now operates 630 courts at 130 of its clubs, with more planned.
The Life Time Pickleball and Tennis Board will “further elevate a vibrant racquet sports community within Life Time clubs and across the country by fostering awareness, excitement and support for the sports among people of all ages and skill levels.” Life Time offers lessons, leagues, clinics, tournaments, and more for adults and kids at its clubs nationwide.
“I strongly support the ongoing growth of tennis and pickleball and could not be more excited to partner with Bahram and LifeTime as we work to elevate these sports as staple elements for millions of people living healthy, active and happy lives,” said Agassi.
As Chair, Agassi will bring his expertise and enthusiasm to the hundreds of racquet sports professionals working at Life Time—many of whom played at the collegiate and professional levels. His vision includes expanding access, enhancing programming and community building.
“I have enjoyed Andre’s illustrious career for more than four decades. He continues to be an inspiration to me and millions of others, both on and off the court,” said Akradi. “As a long-time friend and business partner, having Andre lead our Life Time Pickleball and Tennis Board is a true honor. Together, I foresee endless possibilities for the impact we will have in the racquet community.”
Image courtesy Pickleball Slam
