America’s fasting growing sport is getting serious. The latest organization to form around this backyard to big leagues phenomenon is the National Pickleball League (NPL), featuring professional team competition exclusively for the Champions Division, ages 50+. The league will conclude their second season with their championship tournament in October.

Proudly joining the league of 12 national teams drafting top players from across the country is the newly formed Coachella Valley Scorpions. Established by local pro Kim Jagd, a former pro volleyball player who turned to pickleball ten years ago at 49, and local real estate exec Rob Zwemmer, the Scorpions are the first and only Champion Pro team in California.

“In a record nine months, the Coachella Valley Scorpions have gone from a passion Rob and I had to a full blown company, “ exclaims Jagd who led the Indianapolis Indy Drivers to the NPL’s first title last season. “We’ve drafted an incredible group of 14 professional players, landed Vince Vaughn [actor] as a famous majority stakeholder, proudly secured Agua Caliente Casinos as our new Presenting Sponsor and are in position to vie for the league championship in October!”

NPL teams consist of up to eight men and eight women players. The Scorpions roster includes: top-ranked player and bestselling Pickleball Mindset co-author Dayne Gingrich (Santa Barbara), Piet Aldrich (Solana Beach), Joe Frasca (Colorado Springs, CO), Keith Jain (Carlsbad), Julene James (Bluffdale, UT), Lily Kordic-Mueller (Carlsbad), Maggie Murch (North Vancouver, BC), John Riedy (Carlsbad), David Smith (Spirit Lake, IA), Chrishawn Spackman (Gulfport, FL), Johan Svensson (Lakeland, TN), Brenda Tilford (Highland, CA) and Stacy Zelenski (Morro Bay, CA).

Similar to our valley’s other professional franchise, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Scorpions are keeping community enthusiasm and outreach top of mind. The team plans to host camps, clinics and special events for community members and youth and will host an NPL competition during the 2025 season.

“We are excited to elevate passion for the sport across generations in the Coachella Valley,” add Jagd. “Pickleball is a spirited game that unites youth, families and seniors and reminds us all that competitive sports can be enjoyed at any – and every – age. We couldn’t be more excited about the future.”

To learn more, visit www.scorpionspickleball.com or follow the team on Instagram: @ScorpionsPickleball and Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScorpionsPickleball.