by Kelly Campbell
You know Jamie Foxx: legendary actor, singer, and comedian. But did you know that besides being a multiple-time Grammy and Oscar award winner, he’s also an avid pickleball player?
Foxx made headlines last month for throwing another lavish, Hollywood pickleball bash at his home in Los Angeles. This isn’t the first time he’s made his love for dinking known. He’s previously been vocal about his pickleball passion on social media and his YouTube channel, and he even co-founded the pickleball brand The Best Paddle.
We know that a lot of celebrities have made some moves on the pickleball court, but we have to say, Jamie Foxx comes out on top. He’s not just in it to capitalize on pickleball’s professional popularity and investment potential –– it’s clear that he truly loves the game and wants to see it grow. We’re always excited when someone with that much influence, money, and star power advocates for our favorite sport.
Read on for more about Jamie Foxx’s star-studded pickleball parties, his pickleball compound, and The Best Paddle.
Foxx’s Compound + Pickleball Parties
If anyone has an “in” to invite us to a legendary Jamie Foxx pickleball bash, let us know. They seem like an awesome time.
Foxx’s L.A. home has a pickleball compound complete with three large courts. Some say that it’s one of the best paddle compounds ever built. So, it’s no wonder why his parties are growing in popularity. This high energy and fun atmosphere combines the best of pickleball, celebrities, pickleball pros. Insiders say that these events host 400+ people and include swimming, dancing, live music, a bar, cardio classes, and food trucks.
Professional pickleball player and celebrity pickleball coach Matt Manasse has attended his share of Foxx pickleball parties. He told Hollywood Reporter, “You never know when the Jamie Foxx pickleball party is gonna happen, but when you get the DM or texts, you know you’re in for a special treat. (…) It’s that unassuming party that starts at 3 p.m. and the next thing you know, you’re dancing and it’s 11 p.m.”
Apparently, these parties have grown so much that it’s not exactly easy to get on the list.
“People are sending us DMs to get into the events,” says Chien of the bigger tournaments they put on. “It started with 50 people and has grown to 400.”
We’re excited to see that one of the biggest stars in our time spends so much time on the pickleball court and encourages more people to pick up a paddle and join in on the fun. And, seriously––we’d love to get on that guest list.
The Best Paddle
Jamie Foxx co-founded The Best Paddle with friend Taylor Chien in 2022. But is it actually the best paddle in pickleball, as the company suggests?
The company’s mission is to empower connection through pickleball, promote a healthy, active lifestyle, and overall enhance the lives of pickleball enthusiasts by offering high-quality products, and transparent customer service. They aim to create innovative products by revolutionizing paddle technology.
Their paddle offerings are separated into three categories on their site: pro paddles, starter paddles, and recreational paddles. There’s a wide range of paddle prices, with $40 being at the lower end and $200+ on the high end. In addition to paddles, they sell merchandise like shirts, paddle backpacks, hats, and more.
On their website, each model has a detailed description (some even with a video) describing its dimensions, surface, purpose, and feel. They are described as lightweight, anti-slip, and as having a wider sweet spot. Each model has a sleek, simple design, complete with a “USA Pickleball-Approved” stamp at the paddle’s base. These paddles are also known for their large signature line at the top of the paddles, front and back.
We’ll have to try out one for ourselves, but their online reviews are promising. On Amazon, the Carbon Fiber X Model with a 13mm polymer honeycomb core has a 4.7-star rating. The Best Paddle is endorsed by Serena and Venus Williams, David Dobrik, and more. The Best Paddle’s popularity is growing—nearly every model had a low-stock warning when we browsed their website.
The Foxx Effect: Pickleball Influence
Foxx’s pickleball parties exemplify how pickleball has become a means for networking amongst Hollywood’s elite.
“I tell young people it’s the greatest way to network. Doors open up quickly on the pickleball courts,” Taylor Chien told the Hollywood Reporter.
We’re thrilled that Foxx is on our team in the fight to expand pickleball and keep the pickleball wave going. And with 400+ attendees having fun at his pickleball-themed events, it’s safe to say these parties are spreading the pickleball love far and wide, encouraging new players to get involved. If other celebrities get the pickleball itch as much as Foxx has, they’ll be more likely to invest in professional teams, launch their own brands, and support overall pickleball growth.
The success of Foxx’s pickleball events could also be felt outside of Hollywood’s elite. We know how much influence celebrities have on the general public, and when non-celebrities see how much fun celebrities, people with fame and fortune, have playing pickleball, they’re more likely to pick up a paddle themselves.
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