Alameda, CA – August 22, 2024 - NextShark and the Bay Area Breakers are proud to announce their first-ever Celebrity Pickleball Exhibition, presented by DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), taking place on September 3 at 4:00 p.m. at The HUB Alameda, home of the Bay Area Breakers. This exciting event will feature a match between NBA champion and Bay Area Breakers co-owner Jeremy Lin and Hall of Famer and tennis legend Michael Chang, with proceeds benefiting the Jeremy Lin Foundation and Pickleball Cares.

In a series of games, Jeremy Lin will team up with fellow Breaker Collin Shick, going head-to-head against Michael Chang and Augie Ge. The action-packed event will continue with Jeremy and Jill Braverman playing against Michael and Alix Truong.

Following the celebrity match, the Bay Area Breakers will take on the SoCal Hard Eights, another Major League Pickleball (MLP) team, in a thrilling exhibition match.

The event is presented in partnership with DUPR, the world’s leading pickleball rating system, and is supported by Drinklits (www.drinklits.com) as the official hydration partner, Reign Storm as the official energy drink provider, Pacific Lighthouse sponsoring the VIP section, and On the Rocks as the official cocktail of the event.

Benefiting Charities: The proceeds from the event will benefit charitable foundations that align with both Jeremy Lin and Michael Chang’s missions to support underserved communities:

• Jeremy Lin Foundation: A foundation focused on empowering individuals and communities by providing education, health, and wellness programs, particularly for underprivileged and marginalized groups.
• Pickleball Cares: A charitable organization that uses pickleball as a means to give back to communities, supporting a variety of causes.

Fans who can’t attend in person can watch all the action live on the MLP YouTube channel, bringing the excitement of pickleball to a global audience.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and interested parties are encouraged to reach out for more information.

Event Schedule:

• 4:00 p.m.: Start
• Celebrity Match: Jeremy Lin & Collin Shick vs. Michael Chang & Augie Ge
• Celebrity Match: Jeremy Lin & Jill Braverman vs. Michael Chang & Alix Truong
• MLP Match: Bay Area Breakers vs. SoCal Hard Eights

About NextShark: NextShark is the leading media destination for Asian American news, culture, and community stories, reaching millions of readers worldwide. NextShark is committed to empowering Asian voices and amplifying underrepresented stories.

About Bay Area Breakers: The Bay Area Breakers are a professional pickleball team competing in Major League Pickleball's Challenger Level. Co-owned by NBA champion Jeremy Lin, the Breakers are dedicated to promoting the sport of pickleball and inspiring diverse communities through their dynamic presence both on and off the court.

About the Jeremy Lin Foundation: The Jeremy Lin Foundation’s mission is to support overlooked and underserved Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth and other communities of color through community empowerment, solidarity, and narrative change.  JLF empowers those in the community serving marginalized and vulnerable youth to bring in sustainable funding and resources to overlooked low-income AAPI youth nonprofits, address long-term root causes solutions to tackle complex challenges of poverty and racism, and develop dialogue to understand the shared struggles across AAPI and cross-racial communities. 

About Pickleball Cares: Pickleball Cares’ mission is to impact lives through pickleball – from players of all skill levels to the communities that support the game. Sports like pickleball have the potential to transform lives, but access to play isn't equal for everyone. Introducing this game and providing opportunities for everyone, particularly those from underserved communities who might not have access to recreational activities to participate can offer life-changing benefits, enhancing their education, health, self-confidence, and overall well-being. Pickleball Cares aspires to promote accessibility and inclusivity in sports, especially for underserved communities.

For more details or sponsorship inquiries, please contact: 

Geoffrey Nguyen

Geoff.nguyen@bayareabreakers.net