Episode 36 - Denver Iconics

Alright when I'm playing pickleball and I need a drink and they need to stop those cramping calves and thighs and quads Cramping whatever I go to holy performance calm get some hydration Outstanding flavors not too salty like a lot of the other brands amazing flavors great prices They have a whole system go to holy performance calm frickin delicious Thank you for tuning in my name is Greg I'm Mike and I'm Chris Anna We are the pickleballers We're here today with Mario Jen and Gail the owners of the Denver Iconics the NPL team here in Denver if you don't know what NPL is it's the National Pickleball League. It's a quote unquote senior Starting at 50. I believe correct. I'm ready. I know Mike wants to try out. I'm ready I thought I'd be the water boy. I think I need to check your ID Cuz you only go to 60 right Because he is the oldest one, but you know, that's okay I've got really sad as I was at the we're out the in what was that when we went to pickle con? Yeah, where's the pickle con and I'm all excited and they're like, well if you hit 60, it's kind of like there's no more You're done. Like really? Oh, no, it starts at 60. All right In our league in the this is our third season we were required to To draft one 60 plus female and one 60 plus male So on our team we have Janie McKenna and we have Bill Muno who are each 60 plus and you know We're hoping there's some great momentum to have an entire division of just the 60 plus I love there's somebody, you know, one of our top players is Beth Bellamy and in the league and she's 60 I mean, she's amazing. She's like, you know top I'm sure you've heard of her and so It doesn't stop at 60 No, I've actually been body bagged by an 80 year old Which makes me not feel bad for doing it because you know if he can do it to me, right, it's a given tank, baby Actually the top 70 year old is Rick Barry who's a former NBA player And his son's played in the NBA too. And he's like a phenomenal 70 year old player He would be someone hard to play against because it's like he could almost touch the net No, no, no hard to love a 6-8 guy who can run a 4-4-40 Yeah, no, I have a funny story my son-in-law got in a pickleball just this last year You know when you get in a pickleball you get started and you just think you level up so fast like such a young kid He's like, oh my god. He's like, oh my god. He's like, oh my god. He's like, oh my god And you just think you level up so fast like especially you're younger you're 35 to 40 you think I know everything now, right So he says you don't even invite me. You don't invite me. I'm like, let's just kind of you know, four or five four to five Oh, it's a different world. Um, yeah, I'm ready. I'm ready So last week we went out to apex and it was a league and we're probably all 55 to 70 and these ladies He's like we can join this league They need another guy and the funny part was when we're done after two and a half hours, he's like I'm not ready And the ladies this is the funniest part cuz ladies usually get targeted right when you play two men two ladies the ladies get targeted He was the lady And it was this funny he's gonna hate I put this on the podcast but it was I Anyway, it's just funny this this way the sports going to though. I mean the paddles where we're going. I mean, I just got the boomstick Yeah, I've been playing with sulfur since I started, you know, we don't advertise a marketing but I'm telling you have you tried it No, I have friends of mine. I play with the other day. They had it. I think they loved it I think I could put somebody in the hospital. I think I Think it's that just big gen 3s Feel good. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, Jen. Yeah, absolutely. Yes, it does feel like that I feel like that when you're older and you're starting to play more games. Here's where it's great. The power is great Yeah, but and that's at the beginning you got to kind of slow it down But when you're playing that sixth game or seventh game where you're getting tired the paddle starts to work for you That's what I like about it. So yeah But Mike used to use the power air and you have to work so hard to you play playing with A lot of strength and you know, it's been a week of fun. But I mean this thing is incredible Yeah, you know you talk about paddles, you know, let's go back 10 years ago You know, they had about 300 and I and I know this from my sponsor my paddle sponsor They started out about 390 paddle companies, maybe 10 years ago There's over a thousand paddle companies Everybody's just trying to get a piece of the market. So, uh, who is your paddle company? Dink sports. Okay. Awesome. Yeah, I'll play with it just started over in January with it and I love it He's working on his new one Coming out in December January of 2026 And I like the way he does it. He's Most of these paddle companies and it's I love what they do these paddle companies like it's every six months They're bringing in the new paddle. Everybody try out the new one like this new one the boom that just came out All companies are trying to just get piece of that market. He does a new paddle probably every 15 months Holy that's a lot. Yeah, so he's like for it and then he told me In a how the process of how much they need to pay to just throw your paddle in there get it inspected and Hopefully that it passes. Yeah, three months later and all the money you have to put up So I learned a lot from him and it's great But I love the paddle and then and then if you want it to be on the tour, right? Yeah, then that's just a whole nother So I learned a lot from him and he's the owner and we became great friends and he helps us out So I appreciate it and hats off to my sponsor think sports We were just in Austin and last month and we had all the players had to have their paddles Both paddles are all paddles that they play with tested. Yeah and approved and points are But think about where it went from the wood paddle to where it is now Yeah, I mean this is I mean pretty soon that's gonna be an automatic paddle or something. Yes ball You stand there Bikes So Gail, what's your involvement with the Iconics? Well, I'm just Coming on board. I'm just I've set up a couple of little events. We had a Celebrity pro-am event at relish in Louisville where we invited some local celebrities and Had some of our Denver Iconic players play we offered a clinic for our Rocky Mountain Pickleball Club and for the community so the Denver Iconic players offer, you know demonstrated and worked with some of the players and then we have we brought in like the seal Barry and Laura Fisher just people that were pioneer women kind of in the in the World of athletics in Colorado and so then we just had some some fun games Then it was just kind of to expose the team to get the community involved to bring back Some of our people that have done some really good things for men's and women's athletics in Colorado and just to kind of have a fun social event after so Probably my duties would be to continue with that to kind of showcase The Denver Iconic so they can develop a fan base Exactly amazing. I love that. Yeah, and now that the relish then what a place Awesome, you get full go burn it off. Yeah again. There's eight restaurants in there, right? What a place right sound bear they put the soundproofing and it's incredible You can sit there and talk to somebody you hear the score Gil is well-connected My basketball instincts come out a little bit on the pickleball court No one loves on you, right No If they're lucky they can get it over me because my verticals like if you can put a piece of paper under my vertical My verticals one foot still on the ground and it looks like Gail's a dream. I mean, I've got to be around her a lot. She's always helping people always part of pickleball He's gonna have a person on this team. I mean she is awesome. Thank you. Yes, and we're glad to have her And when did you join Actually, oh No, I'm coming in kind of just like now and like in the last couple months we've just been trying to work together and trying to come up with some ideas to Showcase the Iconics and and keep them connected in the community. And so we have all these really fun ideas Yeah that we want to get going and and so, you know, I've I've I enjoy my relationship with them And I think it's a good partnership and that's I'm excited. So I love It's really awesome, so it's Colorado, right? We have to I love it. It really likes it. It's the badge. It's like yeah, here's who we are It's like a firefighter And then you got the mountains of the trees That's what did you guys do? Did you come up with that? No, we hired somebody we had a former logo the first two years and when Mario and I bought out our partner the spring We were I was determined to change the logo. It's less busy and You know, the other one had some funny particular things that people would notice like no, that's not what it means. And so There's always a meaning Slack for that, but so we changed it and kind of cleaned it up and and so I like it a lot too. It's beautiful Yeah, definitely. Give it give our lessons a little bit of what the what you're about and what you're doing, you know So people know I mean, you know, it's so funny This pickleball is growing but where our feedback from a lot of pickler pickleball players picklers pickleball people They don't know they just know pickleball. They go on a court and hit a ball They don't know there's more to this game. There's more people where you can go with. This is endless endless, right? well, it started three years ago and the NPL was founded in the spring of 2023 by three founders Rick Winskin Beth Bellamy and Michael Chen and they formed this and we were of the first six teams to get started along with our partner Chris Montgomery and It was really it was just kind of celebrating top athletes who played pickleball and Kind of looking at it like I'm not dead yet They're amazing athletes and so we may have some like in quite a we're in credit where Elbow and knee things on and some ice packs, but we're still in the game Well, I've learned those are the ones you have to be scared of The more of those things they have on you're probably getting you're gonna get hurt the more the more knee braces Cuz you're not giving up I mean, I don't remember seeing the NPL over at the pickle con last year and the Camaraderie and just how everybody was with each other amongst teams and then amongst their own teams, right? It's very easy very friendly So what's interesting is like here you are 50-plus and you you get to be kind of a kid again Heck, yes Yeah, I don't think I'm still And there's such there's just so much energy and joy that on our team, especially and a lot of other teams as well and It's infectious. It's just it. You just don't keep want to be part of it. Yeah. Yeah It does your life and to add to that is that when we play in these events, you know Everyone, you know, we get there Everybody's hugging everyone and then you're training and then you get on the court and you play your heart And then after you could be having a drink with them at the bar The other thing that's interesting to note is that our Refs they love reffing NPL games. Yeah, there's also this fun banter like Molly Carter You know you Molly's mouth and it's funny what comes out You know, she's there's always this fun banter and the rest are trying to be serious, but they're cracking up, you know I mean, it's it's kind of it's super competitive and super fun I ran into a ref that was reffing for you guys at the Pickle con last year that I knew from she's from st. Louis. Her name is George and oh, yes Yeah, kind of it. Yes. Yes. Yes. So Tom here's a woman. Well, yeah, okay Yeah, so here's a funny story like I kind of caught my my stripes in st Louis so my wife's a travel nurse and I picked up pickleball in Alaska and then we traveled to st Louis I got so much better in st. Louis because there's all incredible players in there I used to play with her at Kron to let part just kind of pick up. She was nicest lady, but you know, I wasn't that good So I always kind of just set off washed her got to know her. She's really a nice lady Running to her at the pickle con and I helped I was on the court I was one of the four people on the court when she first got certified at whatever level bottom level is I'm I was like, wow, like it's crazy how far she's come and now is like head of NPL refs. Yeah, that's wild. Yeah, that's so awesome And it most every player knows her and everybody comes up and hugs her, you know, and it's just yeah Yeah, it goes from the reps to the players to the team owners and even in the NPL all those owners You know, we all get along. I mean we're there for the league, you know Definitely have some fierce competitors and teams that are but at the end of the day, it's it's exactly what you guys are doing We're promoting this amazing sport. Yeah Highest good for that in a very inclusive way, right? So that's what we're all about being inclusive if you're a 5-0 and you're playing with a 3-0 just reel it in You know, you don't have to stick with them. You don't have to stay there. You're not stuck reel it in play with them We're gonna shot move on Because everybody wants to play with that higher level. Yeah. Yeah, I just love it Like I said people just don't know that there's it doesn't end you can do you you go out with it You start with pickleball like you're born and you can end with pickleball. Absolutely. That's what's neat There's one of the sport. Can you say that you can do that with? Yeah, I don't get we can't go play baseball We could yeah One of my oldest Students which I had about a month ago in Aspen. I was doing the clinic He was 92 years old Unbelievable, I hope I am still playing. Yeah, that's exactly what I told I said I want to be like you at 92 years old. He knew everything he knew what to do He was still probably running around the court. He was running on the court I was his partner in the asses. I know I want to be with him and I learned so much from him It was it was incredible. So it was an honor just to be on the court with him at 90 He was my oldest student ever. That's awesome. Yeah, how many 80 year olds? I mean we were I was at the relish when we're doing that day There was these two people walked up and they're like, you know, they looked older and they're like we play every day Yeah, and he says we're 80 years old 81 and 82 years old and they're playing every day and they look great Great, it changes you it just it does so much for you And we want people to get know that out there that you're not stuck. You don't have to sit home You don't have to just tell for you. This is something anybody can do Yeah, and that's the nice thing about pickleball is that you mentioned it. It's the the age group is so big So you start from I teach young kids at 8 years old and I taught a 92 year old So that's a pretty massive gap Oh, this is nice to see we just did a hundred and sixty kids a couple months ago for the YMCA getting them Introduced to pickleball. We didn't teach a big ball. We let him touch the paddles hit the balls These are the new ones coming out of these kids that are coming up Wow Some of the ones that are playing with adults are crazy It's amazing. Well, I'm I know one of the ambassadors over at the pickler and Aurora is 15 Incredible player. I think he's just starting to go home school so he can Yeah, it's crazy. Yeah, it's crazy that it's now an option to get paid the amounts of money Yeah, they're getting we just did a tournament for the Rocky Mountain. There was two over the 11 and 12 or 9 And they are just into it But they I told my wife I said this is one time I'm glad I didn't have to play because they had to play in the men's division. They were four plus They were eight to thirty six or whatever Mike didn't have his boob stick How did they do they did really well They didn't go all the way on top, but they took a lot of people out good for them I mean, but I love my wife like going home going. I was beat by a nine-year-old You know, you know I got I got smoked by two 14 year olds when I was in st. Louis smoked, yeah Yeah, yeah, that's when that a chainsaw sir was still legal. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I I don't know how anyone returned that Yeah, so it's a chainsaw serve. So I'm new So a little better so, you know how you started Yes, you know you started chainsaw, uh-huh, it's essentially that you just spin the ball off the paddle and then you hit it Oh, wow, you're actually holding the ball on the paddle. Okay, just like you mentioned. Okay, as you're pulling the cord Oh, wow, you're doing this the ball flips in the air at a different spin You hit it at a different angle. It gets landed in a different way. It's nasty. It's nasty You can't do that. No, no, it's illegal. So I went to return that serve it hit three feet in front of me And then landed in the other court. Yeah crazy. Yeah, it was wild Okay, I just stood there like I don't know what to do But look at look at the change though all of us are looking at the change of order and I don't like I think a lot of tennis players have brought a lot of change to a pickleball game and And then when I started spin spin no spin now with spin spin spin, I mean so much is changing Yeah, you know and it's a do to the paddles to crack. I mean, it's not from just the players I mean these things I'm waiting to see one with sandpaper on it early on this man, you know But look at that even the balls. I mean you play with a new ball a few minutes later. Yeah proving to oh my god Oh my god, I'm down. So what balls do they use in the MPL? We use the Selkirk ball. Okay By Selkirk for the Selkirk ball and we have Selkirk TV and then Our streaming is changing for the next two tournaments. So in our Indy tournament, which is on the 20th of September there's one in it. We're in Indy and then there's also one in Princeton because you know, there's 12 teams So we've have to so it's doubled then since 2020. Yes. Oh, I Apologize that I didn't know how we're we're sitting the momentum is amazing and it's exciting So I'd love to kind of talk about that to you sometime. Absolutely I just I just want to touch really quick on how the NPL tournaments would work because I Was told and I'm not even a hundred percent sure on how it works. Is there like an ABC level type deal? Yes, can you go into that absolutely Yeah, so when you're playing with it, they call them team battles So a perfect example would be that if the Denver Iconics are going to play We're gonna play Boca the Boca team from Florida So there is three tier levels or pods is what they call them. So your first pod be your top players Two male two females and then your second pod would be two males two females and it'd be a third pod You're two males and two females. So there's a total of 12 matches Just think there's 12 matches and the concept or the the plan is Who's gonna be the first team in that team? Battle to take seven points away from the other team Every match is worth one point. Oh Okay You follow me on that? Yeah. Okay, so it could end up and it happens to us. It could end up in a tie 6-6 So it could be them. It could be 6-5 for Boca and we have five and there's one more match left It's a pod three plane and we're churn them on We want to make sure we get that point and if we get that point and now we're tied at 6-6, okay It's not over. Okay. Now They call it the team a dream the dream Sorry, yes. Thank you the dream breaker. No singles not in the National Pickleball League. That's what I need to do So then what happens is our captain puts in a List of who's gonna be the first two. It's a game up to 11 first team up to 11 There's no winning by two in a National Pickleball League. Okay, so just now so every game is by every game by the first team That's right. Wow, so We put in our list of the first two players are gonna go on the court They put their list in so there's a good there's a list of Six times that you have two players two players two players and they put their list in The nice thing about this or the scary thing about this is you don't know who you're going to play I like that You can have a party so I'm gonna give a perfect example so I I'm a pot three in my end for the Denver Iconics and We had a team battle against Kansas City, Kansas City, and we have Jennifer Dawson a top female in the world And her partner on the other side and I'm on the court going in with Molly thank God I had Molly Thank God I had her beside me and I walk on the court and who do I see I turned around I go There's no way I'm gonna play them too. And but that's the thing funny You just you don't know who you're playing when I'm beating them. We got the two points every two points, then you switch So and it's so every two points, so it's a game to 11 by two point by two points two points each Oh it gets to the next next four Come on, then the next team up to four the next two. Come on. I like it Yeah, and then at the end if it's a 10-7 for us that team that's on there those teams They stay on and battle it out till the game's over So it's it's a it's a great concept that the league the National People's National Pickleball League put together I love it How do we do in our first year? What do we do in our first year? We didn't do well Team dream breaker. Yeah, we Know I mean you have to do your best. Yes. That's why this is pro level, right? Yeah Yeah, I mean if you do, yeah, you'd start to like, you know, yeah, they don't want it's just like football, right? You know who's coming out there you have your lead. It's right, but it's the same You just see and you just go up there and give it your best and who makes the lineups. Is it the owners? Some owners might but we have a GM that we hire. Okay, Scott Flegelman. Yes, and he's our GM this year and So he does the lineups and playing too. Yeah So he does a great job with that One of the things that also To paint the picture about a tournament for the NPL is that you're a team so you if you're not playing Especially on our iconic team it was very critical to us as owners that we are a team and we support each other and be Our best to our partners whether we're winning or losing no matter what's going on And and so that's been you know, because sometimes some of these good players can be Mean, yeah, so nice Like when they play with me Be careful, I'm not gonna draft you then we're nice to her So they'll be they'll we'll stand, you know, we have three matches going on at one time So we're all kind of trying to cover everybody and if we'll have a timeout and we can go in and talk to them Hey, you know go to their left hand or you know soften the game and and get them up to the kitchen and things like that So you can coach them as they're you a little bit. Yeah, that's really nice. It's really and you know, you it just it's just kind of We don't even think about it anymore like we're there and Running for a water for somebody or whatever. We're just there for each other During the tournament and I think that's what takes it to make it special the NPL just little things like that It really does when we were out there and in the at the pickle con the support that everybody was behind their team They're right there. They're not having a soda and walking around. They're there They're there everybody's there and then if they come off and got a little beat up they were come on Yeah, let's get you going. That's super nice I actually felt like there was a guy on one of the teams that was talking trash to me I Look straight at me and said some stuff and I was just like It was like is there a team from like Jersey? Yeah, there's a Princeton team. Yeah, he was on that team You will know you are playing if you can we were at the paper call was big right almost a hundred courts Yes, and we knew when you guys started because you can hear them. Come on Yeah, that was coming. Yeah, and you know we have this last two years we were lucky to draft Danny Werfel who's a Heisman Trophy winner in 1996 and so he is an amazing leader for our Our team and no matter if we have won or lost at the end of each of the teams We've just played we'll go to the center of the court and we have a chant that we do together We stand together we fall and it's we're in a circle. I mean, we're like the football Same doesn't matter. It's that's what I love about him. It just brings the everybody together Yeah, definitely somebody wanted to be, you know, I'm gonna be the water boy, but I'm besides that How would they get involved to be becoming part of the NPL? To be able to Combines, right, right. We have combines and then you know, I've got people who keep texting me some names I'll go see this person. They they're really good, you know, but Combines and then you know, there's just people and we tried this year to really kind of go homegrown We really want to have a lot of alcohol from what I saw. There's like maybe one person. That's not, Colorado No, actually, we're 65% Colorado. We've got well, I'm wrong Yeah, so they're one person from Michigan, Wisconsin and Tennessee and Florida Yeah, we're not quite there but they're still like they're still like part of the family. Oh And so but we really Many of the teams are trying to go more homegrown if they can can't I mean it doesn't have as I think they struggle because I don't have the population like we do here. I mean, it makes sense How do you get the Columbine is that's usually in Texas, right? Not Columbine. That's a flower When they know that so who picks that how do you pick this plan you pick the players so For example, I went this year where there was one in Phoenix and Gail and I went to Houston Gail played in the combine. Yeah, and I walk around and I'm kind of a quiet person Gail's more so He's got more connections and I'm kind of a semi introvert So I walk around and all of a sudden people know who I am and then hi. Hi You know California says I have a private jet. I can come over to my whole team. You're our transportation Are you gonna get drafted probably not Yeah It was it was super cool because Ann Corson and in Houston who's on ice? She's sweetest thing and she was really nervous But she was like the smashing butterfly and she's just tiny right and she's just killing it at the combine And everybody all these other team owners are like talking to her and I'm like Yeah Because in my opinion is very unexpecting how good she is Also to add to the combine Combines is that some of the teams are doing their own small ones So they can help them help the team out collect a little bit of money for them. And then it's not that they Made it they made it on the team is that they'll pick a female or male or two males or two females in their own Private like say Denver wants to have one next year There's maybe four two females two males that win the combine just in Denver we would pay for their Entry to go to a combine and get and hopefully see that's the final Binds and you know people coming out like Molly didn't go to the combine last the year before but She's a well-known player and it was just sort of the league talked to her and she signed down to go so you get kind of both Both of that. Yeah. No, that's nice. I like that. Yeah. Yeah the combine it sounds fun if I'm being honest It just sounds fun Like trying to twist Rod Davis who is the CEO of the league to go Colorado for the combines get both I mean Let's see how many people get winded I know right We had a tournament at relish in June and What's going on here? I get another core that Coachella team sent us a package of Oxygen That's hilarious because I think they're below sea level probably That's rough So once you're accepted we're you know, what happens then I mean what's how does where's it go from okay? You went to the deal you got accepted You got drafted and then where's how does it all start and then you know, like we call you we send an email We you know, we're like hey you're kind of there's a period where there's a trading that goes on just like I would draft Mike just to trade him Well, he's got the highest quality h2o I Don't hear it twice. Yeah The trade-ins we did it not this year, but the second year What happened what happened there just keep yeah, that was crazy. We drafted our team. I think was 14 16 players I think that's what it was and Seven females or eight females and eight men and eight males Nor will I when it was time when the draft was over and they had a window of maybe three days to do the Trades, I think it was three days. I'm trying to remember nine of our players were gone Oh my gosh, just think about it and nine new players came in Yeah, so that was something you've never seen before and now it's the second year and we're winning. So it was pretty nice Very stressed out and I had like two cold sores Understand yeah, that's where that's where that sweet sip would come in. I know How are you feeling you're calm My favorite is that strawberry lemonade? I absolutely love it. Chris Anna was our first sponsor. So she believed in us So here I am. She was our first sponsor and then we just love her I mean, she is even if she's a two-point plus, but she's good. We love her. They don't know now. It's a two-point We say 2.0 at best If I get better Moving on up we told her to take her paddle away from her. She knows it's done I will know she's awesome. You know, wait, I'll make it drop me on the team And my court shoes need cleaned It's gonna happen watch I hope it does But we went to the pickle con I really did get discouraged though because I was talking to everybody because you know I think I was 57 or 58 then and I was like and everybody was just eat like they were just like it's a pro You have to qualify you need to put the work in. Can you do this? You think this is easy and I just left there like oh my gosh This is not this is not just a kid. This is my game. This is pros and it's changed this is our third year in and I think Gail you can you can also agree with me that the Competition level so just giving you some examples. Is that Pod ones that used to play first year are playing twos and threes That's wild I'm not saying all of them. Just please just it's just that that's what you're going to say So just to add what you're saying, it's just very competitive that's just the advancement of pickleball Yes, yeah, I have a new coach. So my coaches, right? Well, then I can't wait to see I can't wait to be at the combine and watch you get I Can't wait I want to go we're gonna be there. Yeah, we're gonna be there No, I'm a lot. I hope we have at least one here in Denver. I'm really great I'm really kind of working it over being very nice and see that big right? Yeah, maybe great That's an owner put a shout out there Yeah, you know all three of you can get together and you can purchase your own team I was just gonna ask how that works You could have your own team. Wait a minute. No, we have front range market You have to take your team to another state. We're gonna be called the Denver. I don't know You can have a Wyoming team We'll be called Colorado team Don't you have to be a native tone it in no To 14ers My wife wouldn't agree with me you have to have climbed to 14 from the parking lot My wife is a native But Wyoming Utah Utah has one though. No, Utah does not have I'm surprised actually We say Alaska I'll bet you Alaska we could do I'll tell you there's 12 teams in the lead and it we have Coachella Valley. We have Seattle then we have Austin Houston Denver Kansas City, sir. I have to put my fingers down Just like when I was Say Oklahoma City my six now seven and then Indianapolis Columbus, Ohio Princeton and Raton in Naples Yeah, and yeah, and so it's fun that we were part. We're kind of the OG's we were And we would go to the chicken and pickles And it was it was so it was so nice because we could you know, I wasn't playing so I could have a I could have a gin and tonic But Actually, I'll have a gin and tonic why not if it's available Yeah, but anyway not it's all about that. But Yeah, so we would have what we do is we'll have lunch together as a team You know in between the morning session and the afternoon and then on Friday night the league Hosts a party for all the teams It's usually like, you know, it's got a theme Indy is gonna be black and white. But the last one in August was a rodeo Yeah, and then we as a team owners host a dinner for our team Saturday night we kind of get together It's usually pretty casual to try to do it close to where the hotel is just because they they're tough. They're tired, you know Travel and Yeah, I mean it is thick and even as I don't play but I'm just as exhausted just watching them and pacing Yeah, and then you know they get up and they go sat they go Saturday all day The Saturday morning and afternoon session and then Sunday morning and afternoon session and then everybody jumps on a plane goes home Yeah, and then you have to go back to work next day back to your life. So three days It's a Friday is the warm-up day I'm gonna practice my team because not every some of these teams, you know They are not all in the same area and you know, like many people in Denver busy with their jobs They can't always practice as well. So jobs. Yeah, right Can you be you know, if you're just playing really bad, can you be like kicked off the team? I mean, I mean I did So your contract is a year. So you have a contract which is like a yeah. Oh sport. Yeah Yeah, yeah, there won't be a name. I didn't know. I mean, yeah, no, it's good We've been injured player and we have a player that Same player has no like we have a couple injuries, but most of them are back But one one person's father's been so ill. She hasn't been able to play so we can get a sub. Okay Already do you have it? Are they already drafted there? Yeah, they're kind of on approved list the water guy But then they can basically play for anybody at any given time Yes, correct. So we have a team. Yeah, I mean they're strategic about who they pick depending on the course And when we go to Indy we've got somebody's Covering for our one player who's a poor girl, you know She's hardly got to play and it's been just tragic because her dad's just been it How do they pick where you play we're who where all the games are gonna be for the year who could who does the You know, is that the venue the venue? They're really the police been great about Trying to pick cities where there's a team so we were just in Austin and there's an Austin team and We were in LA even though Coachella Valley we had it we had like this It's fun Vince Vaughn owns part of the Coachella team. I did see that. I saw it on Instagram. So it's not I'll be sure to say hi for you guys and and so then we had Denver at relish, which was great and And then we had Houston because we have a Houston team Yeah, and we have Indy coming up and then our championships are being sealed So is it typical that when you guys because I know when you guys were in Houston You had half of the NPL somewhere else in Kansas City, correct. Is that a typical thing or this year because Yeah, because we're trying to honor people who own maybe own teams in that region and and it may not be a facility to Host everybody. Okay, so Seattle is apparently big enough to host us all where do they play? That well, they the owner of the Seattle Stefan has built a facility Somewhere in Beacon Hill. Oh nice. Okay, so you probably know Seattle my son lives. I don't know Seattle I just know that there's not a lot of pickleball courts there. No, that's why I was like, where are they play? And the name of that club is called side out pickleball nice Which is owned by the owners that own the facility or the land? Besides the fog. Okay, that is the owner of the Seattle team. Okay, and that's going to be there Their their campground their training facility, yeah, which is we're excited to hit that one. So we can't wait so that's in Yes, nice well here I mean we are our courts here indoor courts are like 7-elevens pretty soon I Know the malls that are closing down. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I played at the pickle mall in Arizona I think it's actually closed now. It was like an old Burlington Coat Factory or whatever Okay, it was I don't think they used the space enough They had like 12 courts, but they felt like a mile in between each court It was so spread out And not you the space wasn't used. Well, yeah, but look at Colorado Springs 83,000 square foot facility. Yeah I mean if we could get something either a peek or relish or if we have third shot here. We've got oh, yeah great spaces, you know But for a championship we would I was on a call today in with the projections that they're thinking for 2026 We would have to have probably 40 courts 38 courts I know Yeah, we prefer to have them indoors so you can there's no rain out Yeah There's opening up the big facility, but it's only 19 courts on Broadway and for 70s, they're opening an outdoor facility It's outdoor though, I don't know it's run by one of the parks But it's such a different play though indoor and outdoor to me. It's like grass centers to right now three different plays You know, it's I prefer the indoor I do I mean you get spoiled yeah nice bathroom I've been really spoiled. I've been really spoiled. I know this indoor court on the 16th Street on the third floor I Can't wait to go play on it. So there's a quick question for you. So, um, because I'm new are they outside court or flooring? Still using an outside ball for the yes What we like is that she's so new Because these are questions that some of our listeners have It's been really nice to have this perspective because it's like duh, but like not because I mean we just teaser but she's he's moving right? She's loving. Yeah. Yeah, where are you doing tonight pickleball? Where are you doing about pickleball? Awesome Pete pickleball is that they're they're bigger than the standard. They're so nice Yeah, the standards are usually running around 30 by 60 and he has an extra two feet on the ends and the side Yeah, so it's pretty it's cool that I yeah, they're one of the biggest ones that they don't and you're gonna be there next week Well, I guess it's something he's putting together which is great I just saw the email if what I need to do So it's like I gotta show up on Saturday morning, but it's like pros that are there but I think eight of us or I think eight or nine of us that are there and Every pro is helping on a different court going through some things that they like to do or help out if It's someone wants to learn how to do a third shot They'll have somebody doing third shots with the group Somebody wants to do something else if it's logs or work on something and I guess there's some play time with the pros This is what I saw out of there and there's a lunch and there's a big dinner that Saturday night Yeah, I just saw them I just saw the email Yeah, so it's yeah, so I'm excited for it and help them out and It'll be great and we have but two of our players or one player, but Jason won't be there. Yeah Yeah, and my son was supposed to Are you guys gonna be there? Hey, I you know, I I have to figure that out. I have a son getting married Congratulations. Yeah, so that's right. Is it a state? Actually, it's on Bainbridge Island the home of heck. Yeah No, no my kids are not they they're they just kind of like, okay mom Yeah, so but my daughter is planning on getting married and she's like, all right, cuz there's actually a relation because her fiance's cousin is dating a player from the Princeton team and so for her way I have two weddings coming up and her way that she would like to have like a pickleball contest Their wedding gift should be something iconic. Yeah, right I Kind of have to start focusing I get that. I get that. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. Well, congratulations. Thank you Yeah, what else would you say that people listeners wouldn't know about the NPL with you guys with the Iconics? I mean, what's something that you know, you just wouldn't know what's something that you know what I can say You know for the NPL National Pickleball League, it's I'm so happy to be part of it as an owner as a player You know, it's it's it's a championship. It's a Champions Pro League of 50 where you have like a second life you can you can go have some fun and Be competitive at the same time and meet great people. It's social and I believe that this sport and the National Pickleball League and all the leagues are Gonna just do very well in the next five and ten years You know another thing too is that you know, let's not forget the Europe market So, you know, I'm involved a little bit in the Europe market with my partner in the WPA World Pickleball Association so that's something we're working on right now to host something in the India market that we can do but that is getting bigger and bigger. So we're gonna be there, right? Yeah, we're there Yeah, so but that's that's something that I think it's that everyone's gonna do well in it I was just talking with CEO today I said, hey, I'm gonna do this podcast and you know I'd like to share some of the things that the league is doing and he's like, you know There's a lot of momentum like I was saying earlier and they're hoping to provide the NPL experience to To you know, you're you're you're listeners, you know, yeah Have a competitions at tournaments that offer the NPL experience and You know, that's exciting because there's so you've ever said everybody a lot of people would love to be a part of the NBL And be a great way to get a feel and to get seen and just to do even You know if it's a 3-5 player, which you know, you're gonna be there So look look to see those announcements and you know follow us on social media the Denver Iconics on Facebook and Instagram because there's some there's a flavor of Kind of how we are as a team and and Funny funny things that our social media person posts. It's kind of you know, what's the weirdest thing in your bag? Or who has the meanest look? I mean, there's some fun stuff about the team to on that If you get out to see one, you need to go see one if you're wherever they're at and you can get to one Yeah, you're gonna see the energy that's brought to it. That's what gets you want to be part of it that's what started me on it and When we got to the go out there to the Peckle con Peckle con is just the energy that was there was so fun Yeah, you know and the people besides telling me that I have to work really hard to get on maybe The one thing that I took away from NPL and not that I ever thought that it wasn't but it's a FAFO Like if you think it's just some rinky-dink like easy playing Seniors, which is seniors is 50 and it's it's not They will wreck you. Yeah Yeah, come in and find out if you think you're a badass. Yeah, and I can beat them. Come find out. Yeah While they're doing it. Yeah a couple weeks ago. I I attended a WNBA fantasy camp and Um, so I got some really good ideas how I think it could be kind of cool to do that With the NPL, you know to mean where you kind of come on as a player or whatever and just experience What it's like to be a professional pickleball player because I think a lot of people don't have any idea the time and commitment and the sacrifice that you put in just like you would it if you were any other athlete and It just they did some really fun things and you got to be involved in in the drills and in the not so much in the decision-making because that wasn't a very good game for the aces that that weekend, but You know just to kind of talk with the people that are in charge and how do you how does this happen? And maybe how I can Step up and maybe sponsor and be a potential sponsor for a team Because we're always looking for that and I just thought it was kind of a cool idea to bring that you know, we're not there yet with the Indiana Fever's and the Vegas aces, but at least you know bring that to the forefront that this is a possibility we could do this with pickleball. Absolutely We have trailhead wealth management and that's an incredible team That sponsor us and they have been with us for the last two years and would like to continue They find it valuable and then we have peak pickleball Yeah, so You know, it's and I keep I'm keep working on sponsors and you know proving that this is just Blowing up as you guys well know. Oh, yeah, and you'll wish you were a sponsor. Yeah Yeah Come grow with us. Yeah, that's really good in on the ground floor. Exactly Well, this podcast was born on the fact of that. No, there's no information. I'm pickleball, right? It's so big but so small and so when we started this podcast, we're like, how do we get this out to the people? That's what we talked about the everyday people that play in pickleball Like they just don't know nothing but walk and get their shoes get their shorts get their paddle and go to a court There's so much more and like when you go to this level where you guys are at Wow, you know So we are gonna be here to help you and look for help with sponsors and be part of you I were hoping we're gonna this is a great relationship. Yeah So I'm hoping you're gonna come to Seattle. Yeah, we're looking at that. So yes, what October what October? 16 17 18 Yeah It's Thursday. It'll be Friday Saturday and Sunday. Those are the three days Yeah, and look for art, you know, you can watch our the matches on the NPL YouTube channel Yeah, which you'll be right next door soon, right? Yeah, so if there's anything else that you guys want to plug Instagrams tick tocks emails put way to get a hold of you anything you can get a hold of us on our website, too There's a connection. So feel free to reach out to me I run pretty much run the team and Mario is playing and doing he's working So I'm working on that on the team and Gail has come on to really help me out So but yeah, you can contact me there Through the website and get a feel of who our players are Please reach out and and let me know You know what questions you have. What are you looking for? You know, we we're we're not kind of this elitist Snobbery thing at all. I mean, you know, we love we're here for the sport Yeah, we just have to have we have happen to have these amazing players, but your listeners are probably up-and-coming So they are Scary. Yeah, maybe I can draft him with Waterboys I got water. I'm the water boys Michael be the bestest water No, we are excited to be with you guys I think that I love when we can bring stuff to our fans and people's that there's more people There's more and what you were saying before. I love this the pros. It's not like a football pro team It's not like a summer. You can't touch him. You can't talk to him. You guys are open. Yeah Not we were in the tournament. I wouldn't go up to you But in between and after it's right. Yes, please feel free. Yeah I'm not playing. Yeah, I'm not sure if any of the players have bodyguards That's the sad part when it does right now, it's still really fun. It's open to the public Yeah, you're right there with it should be yeah, and hopefully always will be yeah, so when we had the we had the tournament in relish Denver area boulders they show. Oh, yeah If you were listening and you went We just blew it out of the park and and so hats out to this community Yeah, Colorado is a great pickleball community. That's not for me. Nobody realizes how big we are here Players that come out of here. It's crazy. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you have to learn how to hit the ball here I love it. How far as you can serve when you're at night. I know I've experienced some of your service Now I got the boomstick Yeah, I have to sign people kind of waiver if they play with me responsible for your hospital Did you say boomstick or broomstick? Sometimes it looks like I'm actually scared now to come up and train with you because what if I'm nervous? Oh, you're gonna be nervous You guys were wonderful You're a part of our team That's why we called it the Denver Iconics Because of the reason that iconic being that everyone on the team brings something special That's awesome. Yeah, that's why I came up with that name. That's the reason why everybody everyone's different. Yeah That's what it's all about We appreciate what they bring to the table and we learn to adapt with whoever it is and make it a family Yeah, I love it because nobody plays the same. Yeah, it's a craziest thing in the world Yeah, and if you travel like you guys get a travel, isn't it crazy how you go to one state? And it's just different. Oh what they play the line they play back. Yeah, you know how they move It's because that that's what's wrong. Yes, and we all culture We all spend time in Florida in the winter and that's a whole different. Oh, yeah Different animal there. Yeah. Well, thank you. Thank you from all my guys Thank you Thank you I Just want to say thank you to a sweet sip for supporting the podcast a sweet sip is a very delicious CBD drink Non-alcoholic for great flavors. It helps me take the edge off when I'm going to play in a pickleball tournament If you want to get some check them out at drink a sweet sip calm