Major League Pickleball News: NextShark Takes Stake in Bay Area Breakers

Huge addition for the Breakers.

David Tucker\News-Journal / USA TODAY

The Bay Area Breakers pickleball team is getting a new investor in the company, NextShark. NextShark, a company covering and investing in Asian and Asian American communities, has secured an ownership stake with the Breakers, joining fellow owners and investors in the team including Geoffrey Nguyen, Wayley and Kathleen Louie, Jeff and Stacey Nishi, and former NBA star Jeremy Lin.

The news comes during Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month, and during part of NextShark's aim to growing and supporting Asian American communities and goals. The Breakers feature an ownership group primarily of Asian Americans, and want to grow the sport within the Asian American community.

“We are thrilled to join the Bay Area Breakers’ ownership group,” said Benny Luo, CEO of NextShark and a Bay Area native. “This investment aligns perfectly with our mission to empower and support the Asian American community. The Breakers’ commitment to excellence and their strategic vision resonate with our values at NextShark. We look forward to contributing to their continued success and the broader growth of pickleball.”

“The Bay Area Breakers represent the spirit of community and excellence,” said Geoffrey Nguyen, co-owner of the Bay Area Breakers, per NextShark. “Our goal is to build a team that not only excels on the court but also inspires and unites the community. With NextShark’s support, we are excited to elevate the sport of pickleball and make a lasting impact.”

The Breakers, who were founded in 2022, are one of the top teams in Major League Pickleball's Challenger Level. They are trying to place well this season so that they can be promoted to the Premier Level, which is the highest level of play in MLP.