When Donald Driver became a Cousins Subs franchisee in 2022, the sandwich chain was counting on the Green Bay Packers legendary receiver to bring the brand instant attention and spur further development.
Pickleball Kingdom has a similar game plan with the former Super Bowl champion who is joining two of its early franchisees in opening nearly two dozen clubs in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Although details of their agreement are still being ironed out, the former NFL star player and Pickleball Sports franchisee group are expected to sign a 20-plus unit deal with Pickleball Kingdom, said CEO and founder Ace Rodrigues.
“This is a game changer for us having Donald Driver on board,” Rodrigues said. “After Bart Starr, there is no Packer player more popular with fans in Wisconsin. He’ll be a great partner for us in so many different ways but also as an ambassador of pickleball and getting more people excited about playing this amazing sport.”
In a statement announcing his equal partnership with Greg Straub and Doug Reigle of Pickleball Sports, Driver said, “Pickleball has become a sport that connects generations and Pickleball Kingdom provides a space where families, friends and competitors can all come together to play, grow and build relationships. I’m excited to help expand that mission while introducing this incredible sport to even more people.”
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Straub is a practicing attorney and former Sola Salons operator with Reigle, who recently retired from his family-owned company that sells small housewares and cookware. Straub said Pickleball Sports is planning to open its first club in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in March, followed by locations in Green Bay and Madison.
With Driver on board, Pickleball Sports is targeting three Pickleball Kingdoms in Milwaukee, plus locations in La Crosse, Eau Claire and in the Racine and Kenosha area. It’s also planning on three or four more clubs in Minneapolis and other Minnesota markets.
He said the idea of making Driver, who owns six Cousins Subs, an equal partner in their group started last year when they met him at a planning session for a celebrity charity pickleball tournament at Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest music event.
“We were in talks with Mark Kass, the former editor in chief of the Milwaukee Business Journal and who now runs the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, about that event when he said there’s someone who I want you to meet,” Straub said. “Well, much to our surprise, in walks Donald Driver. It was an amazing moment as Donald went on and on about how much he loves pickleball and how he wants to help us bring the sport to more local communities.”
Straub said Driver’s extensive network extends well beyond Wisconsin, where he earned hero status with Packers fans during a prolific 14-year career that saw him set a number of franchise records for most receptions and receiving yards while being named to four Pro Bowls. Driver also brings with him strong ties to Minneapolis where his son, Cristian, attends the University of Minnesota and is a receiver on the football team, Straub said.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Donald,” Straub said. “He’s not only just a great guy, he’s also incredibly dynamic person who has this amazing business acumen. He has all kinds of connections that are going to open a lot of doors for us with new sponsorships and partnerships.”
With Pickleball Kingdom, Driver has teamed up with a brand focused on becoming a facility leader in the fast-growing participation sport. The company has 10 clubs so far and ambitious plans to reach 100 locations in half the states and international markets by the end of the year, said Rodrigues.
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“Things are moving real fast for us, but at the same time I’d like to think we’re being very intentional in our development approach,” Rodrigues said. “We’ve made sure to build the infrastructure to support our growth, including a partnership with a best-in-class real business and construction company who we connect our franchisees with and help them identify the best locations for their clubs.”