Padel’s global rise has already attracted the attention of world-class athletes and investors, but its latest backer shows how deeply the sport is beginning to resonate across disciplines. FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes has joined the ownership group of the Pro Padel League’s New York Atlantics, signaling his belief in padel’s long-term potential in the United States.
From the Pitch to the Court
Paes, a Dutch international and rising star in Major League Soccer, is best known for his sharp reflexes and consistency as a goalkeeper. Yet his move into padel reflects a broader trend: professional athletes using their platform and perspective to back emerging sports.
Alongside American tennis star Frances Tiafoe and CourtSense founder Gordon Uehling, Paes is part of a new ownership group valuing the Atlantics at over $10 million. It’s a remarkable figure considering Pro Padel League franchises were initially priced at around $200,000 just two years ago.
While Tiafoe’s involvement brings global visibility from the world of tennis, Paes offers a different kind of signal: that padel is winning converts among elite team-sport athletes who see not just the entertainment factor, but also the community, intensity, and opportunity the sport embodies.
A Market in Acceleration
The timing of Paes’s investment is no accident. The U.S. padel landscape is expanding rapidly, with more than 350 courts built in 2024 alone, more than doubling the country’s footprint in a single year.
The Pro Padel League, which raised $10 million in seed funding earlier this year, is positioning itself as the engine of this growth. Learn more about PPL’s seed round here. With investors ranging from venture capital firms to high-profile athletes, the league aims to solidify padel’s presence in North America and bring it into the mainstream U.S. sports ecosystem.
Why Padel Resonates with Athletes
For players like Paes, padel offers a unique mix of attributes: tactical speed, social connection, and the thrill of competition. Unlike many emerging sports, padel already has a proven global base over 30 million players worldwide and a professional circuit that has set attendance records across Europe and Latin America.
This is why global icons such as Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Gerard Piqué have invested in the sport. Their contributions, whether through academies, clubs, or infrastructure, have helped transform padel from a regional pastime into one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
By joining this movement, Paes is not only backing a business opportunity but also positioning himself as part of a generational shift where athletes are stakeholders in shaping the future of sport. Read more here.
Looking Ahead
The challenge for padel in the U.S. remains steep. Competing with established giants like tennis and the rapidly growing pickleball market requires vision, investment, and patience. Yet for Paes and his fellow investors, the bet is clear: padel’s blend of athleticism, accessibility, and global momentum gives it a unique edge.
If the U.S. becomes a central hub for padel, athletes like Maarten Paes will be remembered not just as early adopters, but as builders who helped translate a European phenomenon into an American success story.
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Author: Atte Suominen, Founder & CEO at PADEL1969
PADEL1969 | from Acapulco since 1969.
About Maarten Paes
Maarten Paes is a Dutch professional footballer and the starting goalkeeper for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer. Known for his agility, shot-stopping ability, and leadership from the back, Paes has established himself as one of the most reliable young goalkeepers in MLS. His investment in padel reflects his passion for sports innovation and his belief in padel’s potential to become a global powerhouse.
About Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe is an American professional tennis player ranked inside the ATP top 20 and a two-time U.S. Open semifinalist. Born in Maryland to Sierra Leonean parents, he rose from humble beginnings at a local tennis center to become one of the most charismatic and successful American players of his generation. In 2025, he became the first active ATP Tour player to invest in a Pro Padel League franchise, signaling his belief in padel’s potential in the U.S. market.
About Gordon Uehling
Gordon Uehling is the founder of CourtSense, one of the leading tennis and high-performance training academies in the United States. Based in New Jersey, CourtSense has trained numerous collegiate and professional athletes, combining cutting-edge technology with innovative coaching methods. Uehling, a former ATP professional, is recognized for his contributions to athlete development and for bringing data-driven approaches to training. His investment in padel through the New York Atlantics reflects his vision for growing racket sports and fostering the next generation of players.
About Atte Suominen
Atte Suominen is the Founder & CEO of PADEL1969, a global advisory and products company helping investors and clubs build sustainable, benchmark padel facilities worldwide. With years of experience in international business, Atte is dedicated to advancing padel’s global growth through innovation, strategy, and premium quality solutions.
About PADEL1969
PADEL1969 is a leading company in the padel industry, offering premium courts, advisory services, and products for clubs and private investors. With projects across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and beyond, PADEL1969 combines deep expertise with a mission to make padel a sustainable, global sport for future generations.
