Yankee Global Enterprises today announced the signing of a preliminary term sheet to acquire an equity stake in A1 Padel, the international, innovative padel circuit tour launched in 2020. Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Yankee Global Enterprises will provide strategic assistance to A1 Padel to expand and advance its signature tour events, primarily throughout North America. The sport of padel originated 50 years ago and is currently played by more than 45 million people worldwide, with courts in more than 57 countries.

“Padel is growing rapidly, and A1 Padel is producing high-quality, dynamic events for players, fans and sponsors, and there is remarkable opportunity for sustained expansion,” said Randy Levine, President, New York Yankees. “We look forward to serving as a strategic partner to elevate the sport of padel and the A1 Padel brand, particularly in raising awareness in the United States and beyond.”

A1 Padel was founded in 2020 by Fabrice Pastor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Monte Carlo International Sports, with the Continental American Padel Federation (CAPF), to grow padel in the Americas and to provide players with the best professional environments, and with hopes to turn padel into an eventual Olympic sport. Since its inception, the tour has grown by 30 to 40 percent, year over year.

“As more players and fans embrace padel, we have big plans for the sport and our circuit,” said Pastor. “There is no better partner in sports than the New York Yankees and Yankee Global Enterprises, and we are thrilled to have their excellence in developing, producing and marketing our content.”

In 2022, the A1 Padel tour travelled to 14 cities, 11 countries, and three continents. In 2023, the tour will travel to 20 cities, 17 countries, and four continents. Details on the tour can be found at www.a1padelglobal.com.

To date, significant A1 Padel events have been held in Portugal, Sweden, Monaco, Spain, France, Italy, South Africa, Belgium, Hungary, Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Panama, and Argentina, and at prominent venues that include Le Casino in Montecarlo, Las Setas in Seville, Spain, River Plate Stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, among other iconic venues.

About A1 Padel

A1 Padel is an international padel circuit founded in 2020 by Fabrice Pastor, who is also the CEO of Monte Carlo International Sports. The aim of this tour is to promote the development and the internationalization of padel, one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Padel is an energizing racquet sport that combines the elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball. A game played in doubles on an enclosed court made of glass and metal fence, which is a third of the size of a full-size tennis court. The game is quick and easy to learn with rallies lasting longer than normal tennis, making it a fun, social, and addictive sport to play. Using carbon fiber racquets, known as the “Pala” and a lower compression tennis ball, the service is made underarm and shots are played either before or after the ball bounces off the surrounding glass walls, adding a unique dimension to the sport over conventional tennis. One unique play is a player can playback from outside the court through the door or over the wall back to the court.

Padel is an ideal sport for all ages and all abilities. Because the game is played in doubles, it is ideal for families as can easily be played with mixed skill levels. As a player’s skill improves, the game becomes more technically challenging and faster paced. Match-craft is an important skill of the game and points are won by strategy rather than strength and power. The sport has evolved into one of the best cardio sports in the world.

About the New York Yankees

Founded in 1903, the New York Yankees (www.yankees.com and @yankees on social media) are the most successful and popular team in Major League Baseball history, having won 27 championships while appearing in 40 World Series. The club plays its home games at Yankee Stadium, which is one of New York City’s most-frequented tourist destinations and home to numerous non-baseball events, including college football’s Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. As a result of their on-field accomplishments and iconic interlocking “NY” logo, the Yankees are among the most recognized brands in the world.