Former tennis pro-turned-producer Ashok Amritraj is increasing his leisure portfolio into sports activities, as his Hyde Park Leisure Group and Terra Make investments have acquired the Delhi franchise within the World Pickleball League (WPBL). The deal, executed by means of Smashers Sports activities, marks a strategic entry into India’s evolving sports activities leisure panorama.

Amritraj, whose Hollywood producing profession has generated over $2 billion in world revenues, brings his leisure trade experience to the enterprise. The WPBL operates with six groups underneath the All India Pickleball Affiliation (AIPA), with sports activities determine Gaurav Natekar serving as league chief. Bollywood stars Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh are among the many homeowners of the Pune United franchise. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu is the proprietor of the Chennai franchise.

Pickleball is quickly gaining in recognition. Within the U.S., Pureplay Leisure’s “The Wager,” the superstar pickleball sequence hosted by longtime TV character Jason Kennedy, started streaming on Roku, Tubi, Xumo and Pluto in October. “The Dink,” a pickleball comedy from Josh Greenbaum, director of the Netflix documentary “Will & Harper,” is within the works with a solid that features Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Ben Stiller, Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt, and tennis greats John McEnroe and Andy Roddick. Kevin Durant, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Michael Phelps and Tom Ricketts are among the many dozens of traders in Main League Pickleball golf equipment.

“Having spent a long time in sports activities and leisure globally, I see large potential for pickleball in India,” says Amritraj. “The WPBL gives a novel alternative to mix aggressive sports activities with entertainment-driven narratives that may interact audiences worldwide.”

Terra Make investments companion Ankiti Bose factors to market dynamics supporting the transfer. “The sports activities media and leisure sector in India is coming into a golden age,” Bose notes. “With rising disposable incomes, AI-driven engagement platforms, and elevated time for leisure actions, this market is on the cusp of exponential development.”

The WBPL will happen in Mumbai Jan. 24-Feb. 2.