Our 12 teams went back to battle 10/18-19 at Dill Dinkers in Hatboro, PA. After two days of competitive and fun play, the NYC Ballers won the weekend, followed by the Delrays and Rocketeers! Overall league standings (based on the first two events: Delrays, Ballers, Florida Royals and SuperNovas). Watch replays of the action on our YouTube Channel. Our next stop is Baltimore, MD in early December. 

USLPL is pleased to announce Sonny Tannan as its new Director of Sponsorships & Athlete Development. In this role, Sonny will lead sponsor outreach and coordination for both the 50+ and 35+ leagues, while ensuring that all qualified athletes are supported and encouraged to compete at the highest national level.

Sonny is a sponsored coach with Team JOOLA, a DUPR Master Coach, and a Level 2 Clinician for RPO. He also serves as a strategic consultant and investor in racquet sport facilities both in the U.S. and internationally, with a proven history of connecting athletes, brands, and communities.

“Sonny brings a wealth of experience to the league,” said USLPL Co-founder Ron Cortese. “Our league, team owners, and players are lucky to have him on our team.”

“Pickleball has opened doors for me both on and off the court, and I’m excited to bring that experience to the USLPL. Together, we will create a national stage for our players while building partnerships that elevate athletes and deliver value to the brands and communities that support us,” said Tannan.

SONNY@PLAYLEGENDS.COM

On the heels of its successful launch in July of this year, U.S. Legends Senior Pro Pickleball League is excited to introduce its new companion league for pro players ages 35-49. The USLPL 35+ will kick off in early 2026, with tryouts and a regular season schedule. Player recruitment is underway, and the application for team ownership is open. Interested players and owners can register at this link to receive announcements about upcoming events and apply to own a team now or in the future.

The USLPL 35+ league is co-owned and operated by Heidi Sung and Waymon Peet, successful top mid-age pro players with deep roots in the tennis and pickleball communities. USLPL Co-Founders Ron Cortese and Mike Cao will be involved in the development, operations, and growth of both leagues.

“We’re pumped to get this league off the ground ASAP and already have significant interest from players and potential team owners.  We will tap into the experience and successes of the USLPL Senior Pro League at every step and are grateful for their expertise and experience,” said Sung.

The 35+ league will start with eight teams of 14 players, including seven men and seven women. To participate, players can either attend tryouts or apply directly to the league draft. Details on both will soon be posted and emailed to those who register to receive information.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer the same amazing experience for the 35+ players as we have for our senior pros in such a short time,” said League Co-Founder Ron Cortese of Oakton, Virginia.  “Heidi and Waymon are smart players and business people who will head up a successful league that helps grow the pipeline of players who will naturally want to age up into our senior league,” said USLPL Co-Founder Mike Cao, a senior pro player out of Richmond, VA.

The USLPL’s Senior Pro (50+/60+) season kicked off in Indianapolis September 19-21, 2025. All 12 teams attended and participated in four team showdown events. Their ownership groups include nearly two dozen senior pros, some of whom are also Hollywood actors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and people who go above and beyond to elevate the sport of pickleball through working with juniors and opening new cutting-edge pickleball facilities.  Owners have won multiple medals at tournaments including the Minto U.S. Open, USAP Nationals, the Senior Games, and multiple international pickleball events including the Irish Open, Thailand Open, and Rome Open.

About Heidi Sung
Heidi is a graduate of the University of Maryland who began her career at both Merrill Lynch and Charles Schwab as a stockbroker. She raised her two boys and began volunteer work, serving on the Board of Trustees at the Howard County General Hospital and the Auctions Committee for 6 years at Trinity School.  After a three-year tennis career in which she played 120 USTA matches in one year, she started competing at pickleball and accepted a job with Joola as Events Coordinator/Project Manager. She soon earned her PPR certification to teach at Pro Clinics and began to compete at APP and PPA events, earning several medals, including a U.S. Open title.  She also worked at Dill Dinkers, helping set up their Rockville, MD, facility and coaching.  Heidi currently coaches out of the Dill Dinkers in Columbia, MD, and leaves enough time for competing in disc golf tournaments across the country.

About Waymon Peet
Waymon is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who built a career in healthcare working in
physical therapy. He recently worked as the director of pickleball operations and PPR certified coach at various Dill Dinkers locations. His background in athletics, healthcare, and leadership give him a unique perspective on player development and has helped him build successful pickleball programs for all levels. He began playing pickleball after injuries prevented him from continuing to play tennis and soon climbed to the 5.0+ level. He also competes professionally in disc golf, which gives him even more experience with high-level competition and executing well run events. He travels nationwide to compete in PPA, APP, and other high level tournaments and has earned multiple medals at the U.S. Open, PPA, and Pickleball Nationals.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dani Mackey, Dani@DaniMackey.com (703) 283-9698
50+ LEAGUE CONTACT: Info@PlayLegends.com
35+ LEAGUE CONTACTS: Heidi@PlayLegends.com; Waymon@PlayLegends.com

Showdown Event Weekend #1 was a huge success - with great play by all 12 teams and 168 players in the field. With a record of 4-0 and +20 game differential, the Northern Virginia SuperNOVAs took 1st, followed closely behind by the Delrays (4-0 +12). The NYC Ballers took 3rd place (3-1 +14)! Match replays are available on the Live tab in our YouTube Channel. 

We were so impressed by the level of play and camaradie among the players and owners. Thank you to Diadem, whose Official Ball is the Official Ball of the USLPL - and to Dink Eyewear for protecting our players.

Our next Weekend Event is in October at Dill Dinkers in Hatboro, PA. Each team will play four new teams as we vie for the league championship in January. 

Thank you to everyone who supports the USLPL!!!

U.S. Legends Pickleball League welcomes the marvelous Michele Spahr to its broadcast team. The co-host of the Mom You're Embarrassing Me Podcast (which she co-hosts with her daughter Jordan Wick) will join the USLPL as Lead Correspondent at its team showdowns in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Jersey. She will provide color commentary on select matches, rove the sidelines, and conduct owner and player interviews throughout each showdown weekend. She'll also help fans stay on top of real-time updates, as well as share behind-the-scenes stories and profiles. Welcome to the team, Michele!

When the APP Chicago Open wrapped, USLPL players found themselves on the medal stands and had significant wins under their belts. The Roanoke Shine's Youssef Bouzidi earned singles GOLD in the Champions pro (50+) division. Pam Gilbert of our DelRays took home a SILVER medal in Masters pro (60+) pro women's doubles. The Florida Storm's Lynn Salo earned SILVER in Masters women's pro singles. Christine Neuman of the Boston Dragons took BRONZE in Champions women's pro doubles. Other players who had great tourneys that moved them up the standings lists include the Boston Dragon's Lora Charles, DelRays' Aila Main, the Storm's Bryan Lafferman, SuperNovas' Joseph Apodaca, and the Buffalo Blizzards' Cris Kessler and Joel Kabacinski. Congrats to you all! We and our fans are lucky to have you as part of our league!

After a lot of hard work from a LOT of great people (including the players!), we're excited to share a full list of the players selected to the 12 team of the inaugural season of the USLPL. Enjoy this roster reveal by the owners themselves. Thank you to all who entered the draft. To everyone at the Combine, you played your hearts out, and we noticed. We hope to see everyone next year, and please follow your friends and family as their journeys continue! 

Congratulations to the women's and men's winners of our 2025 Combine, Carolyn Weed and Greg Coley. It was a pleasure to watch their play all weekend, and you can watch the replays of the Combine's Championship courts via the links on our Facebook Page. Carolyn and Greg are guaranteed spots on one of the USLPL's teams this season. Second place for the ladies deservedly went to Katie Carpenter and for the men, Stephen Murdock, who also played lights out!

Our 2025 Combine is in the books! The headline is the fierce and friendly competition we saw among ALL of the players. A big thank you goes out to all who came out. Boy, were we all treated to a wonderful weekend of play. Big congratulations to our two Combine winners - for the women, Carolyn Weed and for the men, Greg Coley! Each of them has received an automatic draft bid into the USLPL this season. Welcome aboard. We are lucky to have you!

The weekend also could not have been a success without our crackerjack volunteers, dedicated referees, the amazing staff at Performance Pickleball RVA. This amazing venue also is the home court of our own Richmond Rocketeers. Check out this TV segment from WTVR Richmond.

The team owners also wish to share their appreciation with everyone who competed and played a role in the success of the Combine. 

Oakton, Virginia, U.S. – (July 18, 2025) – Fueled by the desire to provide elite pickleball players aged 50+ and 60+ with their next great competitive challenge, the U.S. Legends Pickleball League (USLPL) kicks off its inaugural 2025-2026 season this Fall.

The USLPL’s 12 ownership groups include nearly two dozen senior pro players, some of whom are also Hollywood actors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and people who go above and beyond to elevate the sport of pickleball through working with juniors and opening new cutting-edge pickleball facilities.  Most owners have won multiple medals at tournaments including the Minto U.S. Open, USAP Nationals, the Senior Games, and multiple international pickleball events including the Irish Open, Thailand Open, and Rome Open.

The league’s roster of teams includes the Boston Dragons, Buffalo Blizzards, The DelRays (Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, FL), DMV (DC/MD/VA) Picklers, Florida Royals, Florida Storm, Jersey Shore Shots, Northern Virginia SuperNovas, NYC Ballers, Richmond Rocketeers, Roanoke Shine, and the Villages Heat (The Villages, FL). Teams are competing for a Championship trophy and prize money.

“The league and our team owners are providing a platform for today’s elite pickleball players to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level,” said League Co-Founder Ron Cortese of Oakton, Virginia, a senior pro player who has run pickleball, basketball, and baseball leagues in Northern Viriginia since 2006.  “What’s great about our league is that most of the team owners also senior pros who are playing on their teams and have a vested interest in the outcomes of the matches, as well as the friendly rivalries we will have on the court.”

Starting in September, once per month, teams will play four league matches called “showdowns” at top indoor facilities in Indianapolis, IN, (the Picklr, September), Hatboro, PA (Dill Dinkers, October), Baltimore, MD, (Bounce Pickleball, December), and Robbinsville, NJ, (Pickle House, January). 

The USLPL also announced that Diadem’s “Official Ball” is now the Official Ball of the USLPL, as well as one of the league’s primary gear sponsors.  Additionally, DINK Eyewear will protect USLPL players this season, as well as give them a visual edge through lenses that improve color, contrast, and clarity.

Each USLPL team is comprised of 14 players, 7 women and 7 men, who are Champions aged 50+ and Masters aged 60+. Players with DUPRs (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Ratings) starting at 4.5 and ranking above 5.0 are encouraged to register for the league’s round robin-style two-day tryout Combine August 8-10 at Performance Pickleball RVA in Richmond, VA. Players who cannot attend the Combine may choose to enter the draft directly. More details can be found here.

“U.S. Legends Pickleball League is helping elite players across the country fulfill their competitive aspirations,” said League Co-Founder Mike Cao, of Richmond, Virginia, a senior pro player and PPR certified coach. “This is going to be an extremely exciting season.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Dani Mackey, Dani@DaniMackey.com (703) 283-9698

We're pleased to share that DINK Eyewear will protect USLPL players this season, as well as help them see the ball better. WOW, right?! Our players are learning how DINK lenses improve color, contrast, and clarity — giving them a visual edge before even the first serve. You really gotta check them out for yourself, but here's a little bit about their products. So many great choices of style and color - including prescription! Use code USLPL20 at check-out for a 20 percent discount.

 Pro Outdoor Lens
Our darkest and most dynamic lens—ideal for full sun and glare. Designed for green ball visibility and younger eyes, it delivers elite clarity, contrast, and bold color in bright conditions.

 Pro Indoor/Outdoor Green Lens
Our most versatile lens—perfect for bright outdoor or lower-light indoor play. Loved especially by players over 40, it enhances depth, sharpness, and adaptability in all lighting conditions.

 Natural Lens (Indoor/Night)
Built for indoor courts and evening matches, this lens is a glare-control machine. Originally developed for night driving, it reduces harsh reflections (aka optical noise) while improving comfort, contrast, and true color visibility.

The Roanoke Shine are one of the 12 USLPL teams that will compete for the league championship in Season 1. They recently appeared on WSLS TV to share what joining the league means to them. Check out their interview here!

You may recognize Co-Founder Ron Cortese as the head of Legends Sports Leagues (basketball, baseball, and pickleball) or have played in one of the many tournaments he has hosted in the mid-Atlantic region. Ron's a senior pro player, PPR Certified Coach, and is excited to welcome the players and fans to the USLPL this season. Mike is a multiple international pickleball tournament medalist as well as a PPR Certified Coach and all-around great guy. Together, their teamwork has helped make the dream work for the USLPL. 

The USLPL is proud to call the Diadem "Official" ball, the "Official Ball" of our league! Balls will provided for the Combine and all matches. To get yours, order directly from Diadem using the code USLPL-DIADEM for 10 percent off all purchases. 

The SuperNovas held a contest to name its mascot, and the winner is Donna Oliver, with the name Scorch! You may spot him at league showdown matches or on a piece of team merchandise, which is on sale now. Donna will receive a hat compliments of the team. Let's go USLPL!