Trump's killer was a pickleball player

Good day, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: Pickleball is Life Time’s New Cash Cow

• Hot Topic: Mookie Betts Can't Get Enough of Pickleball

• Bite-sized: Pickleball Player Turns Would-Be Assassin?

PICKLE TALK

Pickleball is Life Time’s New Cash Cow

Pickleball is the sport that refuses to stay quiet—literally and figuratively. In one of the biggest financial success stories tied to its meteoric rise, Life Time Group Holdings has seen its stock soar by 56% this year, with pickleball contributing to a notable 6-7% of membership dues.

Pickleball: Life Time’s Golden Goose

Life Time has gone all-in on pickleball, with CEO Bahram Akradi revealing investments ranging from $50 million to $100 million in the sport. Since early 2023, they’ve added courts at a blistering pace—up 43%—and are now the largest indoor pickleball provider in the U.S.

But while Life Time celebrates a 17.97% growth in revenue over the past year, the sound of paddle smacks and plastic balls ricocheting around neighborhoods has become a growing concern.

Using The Jump To Help Solve The Noise Problem

Here’s where Life Time, as a capital leader in the sport, could do more, in our humble opinion. Pickleball’s success is undeniable, but its rapid rise has brought noise complaints along for the ride. This issue isn’t new, but it’s becoming louder (pun intended). Neighborhoods are fed up with the persistent noise, and while some facilities are indoors, many outdoor courts exist near residential areas, sparking community tension.

Given that Life Time is benefiting massively from pickleball’s growth, this could be their chance to leverage their financial and innovative power to address the noise problem in a meaningful way.

How Life Time Could Step Up

Life Time has the resources, the big bucks, and frankly, the responsibility to lead by example. Here are a few ways they could channel some of their newfound success into solutions and invest more in research and development:

1. Noise-dampening technology: Invest in court materials, paddles, and balls specifically designed to minimize sound. They’re already innovating with faster, stronger balls—why not quieter ones?

2. Acoustic barriers and better court placement: Strategic court design and soundproofing techniques could prevent noise from spreading into surrounding areas. If they want to keep the surge going, Life Time has deep pockets—this should be standard at every new facility they build. And testing could be key.

3. Partnering with communities: Life Time should collaborate more closely with local governments and neighborhoods to proactively address complaints, rather than ignoring them.

Final Thoughts

Pickleball has done wonders for Life Time’s bottom line, and with nearly 1,000 courts planned by 2025, the sky's the limit.

But it’s time for Life Time to use its capital power and expertise to solve the sound issue that’s dogging the sport. Because if they don’t, the only thing louder than the paddles could be the complaints from frustrated neighbors. And that’s not a noise they want echoing in their earnings calls.

SOCIAL HOT TOPIC

Mookie Betts Can't Get Enough of Pickleball

Pickleball isn’t just for your neighbor down the street—it’s hooked everyone, including MLB star Mookie Betts. As the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., it’s no surprise Betts has picked up the paddle and taken his competitive spirit to the courts.

But don’t expect to find him in a private, exclusive league. Betts keeps it real and pretty local, showing up at random parks to play with whoever’s there.

"Pickleball, that’s my thing. I love it," Betts says. "I just go to random parks and play with random people. It’s cool to meet new folks, talk, and have fun. Some people get really fired up—which I love."

And it’s not just about the game. For Betts, pickleball is a chance to connect with people he’d never meet otherwise, especially during spring training.

"You can be 10 or 80 and still play," he says. "I’ve got a crew of older players I hang with during training. I don’t even know their names, but we have a great time."

While Betts hasn’t convinced teammate Shohei Ohtani to join him on the pickleball court yet, he’s sure that if Ohtani gave it a shot, he’d probably dominate that, too.

What a humble man he is.

BITE-SIZED PICKLE

Pickleball Player Turns Would-Be Assassin?

Ryan Wesley Routh, a regular on the Swanzy Beach Park pickleball courts, is now facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump.

Known for his friendly demeanor and dedication to pickleball…Routh never discussed politics with his fellow players.

However, it has now surfaced that the 58-year-old had radical political views and even self-published a book calling for Trump’s assassination. While his pickleball game was strong, it seems his off-court life had taken a dangerous turn.