Columbus, Ohio - Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is the newest superstars to headline ownership of a Major League Pickleball (MLP) expansion team, the rapidly growing league announced on Wednesday!

Brady is joining Belgian tennis champion Kim Clijsters on the latest ownership team to enter the sport.

The news comes one month after NBA legend LeBron James announced the ownership of his own MLP expansion team along with Maverick Carter.

The professional pickleball league, which was founded in 2021, will expand from its current 12 teams to 16 in 2023 and is set to double its annual events to six.

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Award prize money is also expected to surpass $2 million next season, the league said on Wednesday.

"What excites me the most about becoming an MLP owner is that I get to help shape the future of pickleball, a sport I have come to love, with great people -- who also happen to be some of my best friends," Clijsters said in a statement.

"I'm thrilled to help showcase professional pickleball and make an impact on the sport through my experience gained in the top levels of professional tennis."

The 2022 MLP season finale will take place in Columbus, Ohio from October 14-16.

It will feature 48 athletes competing for the largest single-event prize money ($319,000) in the history of pickleball.