• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, January 18, 2023

Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) has unveiled a new event called the “Pickleball Slam” and the inaugural installment will feature pro tennis greats Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang competing for $1 million in prize money.

HS&E partnered with InsideOut Sports & Entertainment to create the event which will be held at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood FL on April 12. It will be televised exclusively on ESPN at 12 noon ET.

"Pickleball is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon – experiencing a meteoric rise across genders, age groups, geographies, and income levels,” said David Levy, Co-CEO, HS&E, adding that it will give brands “an opportunity to engage with passionate fans and amateur players, as pickleball continues to gain popularity." 

The contest marks the start of a five-event partnership with Hard Rock, HS&E, and ISE. Future Pickleball Slams will be held at various Hard Rock locations. 

The inaugural Slam will pit Roddick versus Chang, followed by McEnroe versus Agassi in the second match. The final match of the day will be a doubles match with McEnroe and Chang competing against Roddick and Agassi. The final match will determine the split of the $1 million purse. 

The 2023 Pickleball Slam includes an amateur challenge, which will be played on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1. It will include 96 doubles teams, vying for a $10,000 team prize, and a chance to compete against two of the tennis-turned-pickleball legends prior to the televised event on Sunday, April 2. 

HSE was formed last fall via a joint venture among Horizon Media and veteran media executive David Levy and agency veteran Chris Weil.