Actor Vince Vaughn Now Owns Majority Stake In RivCo Pickleball Team

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA—Actor Vince Vaughn now owns a majority stake in the Coachella Valley Scorpions, a team in the National Pickleball League, the team's co-owner Kim Jagd announced Thursday.

A fan and recreational pickleball player, the 54-year-old Vaughn said, "I have always enjoyed the game and in meeting Kim I was impressed with her, not only as a player, but her passion and style of coaching. I’m excited to support her and the Scorpions on their journey."

The Scorpions launched in May and are one of 12 teams competing in the NPL’s Champions Pro (ages 50 and over) pickleball league.

Jagd, who is also a Scorpions team member, remains as a minority owner. Other Scorpions co-owners are Rob Zwemmer, Ruth Ann Poppa, and Don Zuker.

Vaughn and Jagd met on pickleball courts near Manhattan Beach, where he expressed his interest in joining the Scorpions’ ownership, according to a news release announcing the deal.

"When you’re on the court with Vince, you can feel his energy and excitement for pickleball," Jagd said. "His involvement is an exciting development for the team and will help the Scorpions continue to build their brand both in Coachella Valley, and in the broader Southern California area."

Vaughn's pickleball participation brings more attention to the sport, which has exploded in popularity across Southern California and the nation.

"We are thrilled to have an icon like Vince Vaughn illustrate his passion for the game of pickleball by acquiring a majority stake in the Coachella Valley Scorpions," said NPL CEO Paul Bamundo. "The league has experienced unprecedented growth over the first two seasons, and to have Vaughn’s investment in our league really underscores the surging interest of the sport in California and across the country."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Vaughn, whose film and television career spans more than three decades, is known for starring in such movies as "Swingers," "Wedding Crashers," "Old School," and "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," among many others. He also had a part in the HBO comedy series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm." His next series, "Bad Monkey," premieres Aug. 14 on Apple TV+.