In an exciting development for Major League Pickleball (MLP) fans and the Texas Ranchers franchise, former NFL wide receiver and successful entrepreneur Terrence Murphy Sr. has officially joined the team’s ownership group. This move brings star power, athletic expertise, and significant business acumen to the rapidly growing sport of pickleball.
A Multi-Faceted Career
Terrence Murphy Sr., best known for his collegiate career at Texas A&M and his time with the Green Bay Packers, is far more than just a former athlete. After being drafted in the 2nd round by the Packers, Murphy’s NFL career was cut short due to injury. However, this setback became the catalyst for an impressive business career spanning real estate, venture capital, and now, professional sports ownership.
Murphy’s accomplishments include:
Founding TM5 Team, an independent real estate brokerage that has brokered over $2 billion in sales volume and been involved in more than 8,000 real estate transactions.
Merging TM5 with eXp Realty in 2021, where he is a 3X ICON agent. His organization completed over $1.269 billion in total sales in 2023 alone.
Founding or investing in over 70 companies under the Terrence Murphy Companies brand.
Developing real estate and building homes through Murphy Signature Homes, which recently won the Inc. 5000 award as one of America’s fastest-growing privately owned companies.
Serving on the board of Alumni Ventures and Texas A&M’s VC fund, Ring Ventures.
In total, Murphy has completed over $4 billion in sales and acquisitions throughout his career.
A Perfect Fit with Pickleball
Now, Murphy is turning his attention to the fast-paced world of professional pickleball. When asked about his decision to join the Texas Ranchers, Murphy shared his enthusiasm:
“After being in talks with MLP for some time regarding ownership options, I decided to join the Texas Ranchers organization after seeing the business moves, community involvement, and the brand the Ranchers were building; it was the perfect fit for me.”
But Murphy’s interest in pickleball goes beyond just business. He explained his personal connection to the sport:
“I have grown a passion for it because it’s like playing ping pong, tennis and chess all in one. I built a pickleball court at my personal ranch in Texas, and fell in love with the game three years ago playing daily matches with my wife and kids. It’s the only sport we can all play together competitively.”
Boosting the Texas Ranchers
The Texas Ranchers, one of the premier teams in the MLP, stand to benefit greatly from Murphy’s involvement. His experience as a professional athlete, combined with his impressive business track record and genuine passion for the sport, are expected to bring fresh perspectives to the team’s operations and strategy.
“We’re so excited to have more strategic investors on board, many of which are the first few to put capital behind pickleball in their respective continent,” said Evan Floersch, CEO of the Texas Ranchers. “From day one, we set out to build a global brand knowing pickleball would quickly become a global sport. Having these individuals in our ownership group further puts the Ranchers in a position to continue building the most valuable, highest-grossing franchise in pro pickleball.”
The Growth of Major League Pickleball
Murphy’s investment in the Texas Ranchers comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Major League Pickleball. The sport has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, attracting both casual players and serious athletes.
With high-profile owners joining the league, MLP is poised for even greater expansion. The addition of former professional athletes and successful entrepreneurs to ownership groups brings increased visibility, credibility, and business expertise to the sport, potentially attracting more fans, sponsors, and investment opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The Texas Ranchers and its ownership team are unified by a shared vision: to invest in the sport while making a positive societal impact. Through pickleball, people of all ages and skill levels can come together, build stronger communities, and shape the future of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports.
As the Texas Ranchers prepare for the upcoming MLP season, all eyes will be on how the new owners’ influence shapes the team’s future. Fans are eagerly anticipating the potential changes or improvements that may come with this new ownership dynamic.
About Texas Ranchers:
The Texas Ranchers is the premier Major League Pickleball (MLP) team in the United States, located in Austin, Texas. The Texas Ranchers are supported by an influential list of more than 30 owners including professional athletes, artists, pop culture figures, business moguls, entrepreneurs and investors. With a mission to become America’s Pickleball Team, the Ranchers are committed to redefining what sports ownership looks like in the future and how sports can leave a lasting, positive impact on the world and countless communities. For more information, please visit www.ranchers.com
Check out this press release from Texas Ranchers: https://www.newswire.com/news/tim-tebow-juju-smith-schuster-terrence-murphy-and-more-join-lil-wayne-22440270
