Dallas Flash shines in Major League Pickleball, hosts playoff games this weekend
DALLAS — You've heard about the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Stars and Mavericks. But what about the Dallas Flash? They are our area's newest pro sports team, just finishing up their inaugural season with the playoffs coming up this weekend in front of thousands of fans.
Meet Tyra, Augie, Jorja, and JW. To their growing legion of fans, they are the Dallas Flash. The Flash is one of 12 premier teams in Major League Pickleball.
"I think people get a little more into it because you are playing for a team, something bigger than yourself. And the fans love it as well," said Jorja Johnson of the Dallas Flash.
The Dallas franchise just completed its regular season and will host playoff games this weekend inside a newly constructed stadium court at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch. It's where the Pro Pickleball Association World Championships will take place next week.
It's big-time exposure for DFW's first pro pickleball team, with players ranging in age from 18 to 28 who, just like those on other pro teams, were all drafted and signed to contracts.
"When I was working a desk job, I never thought I'd sign an autograph for a fan, so it's been a cool experience for sure," said Augie Ge of the Dallas Flash.
Mark Molthan co-owns the team along with a group that includes Mark Cuban. It takes $15 million to start a franchise, but for this Dallas home builder, it's already paying off.
Asked if he expected to be a pro sports team owner here 10 years ago, Molthan said, "No, I never, never, never even thought in my mind that I could put those words together in the same sentence."
You can't have a legitimate pro team without merchandise for fans to show their support. The Dallas Flash already has plenty of it.
Unlike a lot of other racquet sports, team pickleball encourages a loud and rowdy atmosphere to hopefully make it even more fan-friendly.
"They're even going to bring some cowbells, thunder clappers. I think it's going to be awesome," said Tyra Black of the Dallas Flash.
If you can't catch the team in action this weekend, the next regular season starts in April.
