Sloane Stephens Among Athlete Investors Leading Community-Centered Wellness Revolution

A new wave of professional athlete investors is reshaping how communities access wellness and recreation, demonstrating that sports facilities can serve as catalysts for social connection and community uplift. Tennis champions Sloane Stephens, Andre Agassi, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey are among the high-profile athletes backing Ballers, a startup that's redefining the traditional gym model with inclusive, multi-sport entertainment venues.

The company recently secured $20 million in Series A funding to expand its facilities that combine athletics, dining, and social spaces.The first Ballers location opens next month in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, housed in a repurposed power plant. The 55,000-square-foot space will feature six pickleball courts, paddle and squash courts, golf simulators, and a multi-sport turf field, alongside full dining options. Additional locations are planned for Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.

The Ballers model represents a broader shift toward experiential wellness that prioritizes social connection alongside physical activity. By combining sports, dining, and community programming under one roof, these facilities can become neighborhood anchors that strengthen social bonds and provide accessible pathways to active lifestyles.

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Sloane Stephens image source: By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA - Sloane Stephens, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149011444