After Swiggy and Samantha, Atlee acquires a team in World Pickleball League called Bengaluru Jawans

Director Atlee along with his wife Priya owns a team in World Pickleball League.

The much awaited World Pickleball League is expected to see the light of day this year and the new team owners joining the tournament is filmmaker Atlee, the man behind one of the highest grossing Hindi films of 2023-- 'Jawan'.

Along with his wife Priya Atlee, the filmmaker now owns Bengaluru franchise called Bengaluru Jawans.

"We share a deep spiritual connection with Bengaluru, a city where we have been warmly embraced by the affection and support of countless fans and friends. The city’s unique charm and growing significance in our lives continue to leave a lasting impression," said Atlee in a release.

The Bengaluru Jawans team consists of Indian pickleball sensation Vrushali Thakare who is better known as Hammer Thakare for her dashing style of play. She will be joined by Jack Foster, Katerina Stewart, Trang Hyunh McClain, Marcelo Jardim, Alejandra Bobaria, Felix Grunert, Mauro Garcia.

The World Pickleball League action will unfold from January 24. Co-founded by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, the World Pickleball League will feature 48 players from India and across the world playing for six franchises.

"Entertainment has always been our passion, and we been fortunate to tell stories that connect with people on a deeper level. Sports, like cinema, has the power to evoke emotions, build communities, and inspire change. The World Pickleball League stood out to us as the perfect blend of both worlds—a delectable mix of high-energy sport and vibrant entertainment. This league is redefining how we experience sports in India, and we are thrilled to be a part of its journey to create a unique platform that celebrates athleticism, culture, and community," he added.

Last November, food delivery platform Swiggy had announced its ownership of Team Mumbai in the World Pickleball League. Swiggy’s Mumbai team was the second team announced by WBPL after the Chennai franchise was acquired by actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

"When we started discussing pickleball internally and our association with it, my joke was achar bina khaana kya! Look, it's a fun, easy game to play for most people. And I can see food stalls, a happy game and the whole family there for a great weekend. We fit right into this scenario and deliver joy to folks, as per usual. This partnership with WPBL and Mumbai is Swiggy being part of what makes the city and indeed the world go round. Which is our way,” Rohit Kapoor, CEO, of Swiggy Food Marketplace had said.

Pickleball is among the fastest-growing sports globally, thanks to its accessibility for players of all ages. This sport has become a popular recreational and lifestyle activity and is poised to gain significant traction among Indians in the coming decade.

There are more than 1,00,000 recreational pickleball players in India and close to 400 or 500 professional players currently. Last year, there was a growth of about 159 percent in India in the pickleball player pool. The sport has seen a 275 percent growth in active players over the past three years and is projected to surpass one million active players by 2028.