EXCLUSIVE: The French Open in Paris is currently attracting the world’s eyeballs, but when it comes to on court excitement, there’s nothing that eclipses another racquet sport – pickleball. In a few short years, it has gone from nowhere to a sensation embraced by millions of Americans.
Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story, directed by Ashley Underwood, documents the phenomenal growth of the sport – and the scramble to capitalize on its surging popularity. The film premiered last Friday at the San Francisco Documentary Festival and is available to view online for a limited window. We have your first look at the film in the video feature above.
Pickleball pros compete at the 2024 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open.
Andrew Ong/The APP/Getty Images
How big is pickleball becoming? The NBA’s LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love are among the investors getting in on the action. Oh, and so is a certain GOAT from the NFL.
“Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story captures in real time the pro-Pickleball pioneers, and volleys from the senior citizen nudists next door to the billionaire investors cashing in on America’s latest gold rush,” notes a synopsis of the film. “Winner takes all as two wealthy Texas entrepreneurs form rival professional pickleball leagues and feud over the world’s top players. Everyone’s in the game, including LeBron James and Tom Brady, who bet big on pro pickleball when buying teams in an emerging league.”
Underwood served as a co-producer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and as a field producer on Cohen’s Showtime series Who Is America? That’s a tipoff that the film is going to contain plenty of comedic moments along with a dose of high-stakes conflict.
“As America’s newest pro sport segues into its terrible twos, emotions run high through failed mergers, re-mergers, boardroom brawls, and tense negotiations with a bevy of pro players caught in the crossfire,” according to a release. “Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story is a humorous look into the serious business of our country’s fastest-growing sport and the celebrities, billionaires, and everyday folks scrambling to get in on the action.”
John McEnroe in ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’
Film 45
John McEnroe, no slouch with a racquet, is among those who appear in the documentary. The film’s impressive pedigree extends behind the camera – director-producer Ashley Underwood is married to comedy genius Larry David. Writer-producer Craig Coyne is married to Barbara Bush, daughter and granddaughter of U.S. presidents.
The film’s executive producers include Robert Benun, Giselle Rodriguez, and Isabelle Thomas. Marcella Serrano edited the film; cinematography is by Sara Kinney. Dave Palmer composed the score.
Deadline understands negotiations are underway for potential wider distribution of the film. We’ll update you when we know more.
Watch the footage from Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story above.