Matt Lund Named Owner of the Sarasota Manatees as Lakewood Ranch Becomes Team Home for All Florida Pro League

Sarasota, Florida — All Florida Pro League is proud to announce Matt Lund as the new owner of the Sarasota Manatees, bringing family-centered leadership and a deep commitment to growing the sport to one of the region’s most exciting pickleball markets. The team will call The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch its home, creating a strong foundation for player development, community engagement, and high-level competition.

The Sarasota Manatees are looking to bounce back after a difficult season in which the team finished in last place. Under new leadership, Lund is focused on building the Manatees into a championship-caliber organization while creating a culture that reflects both competitive excellence and strong community values.

Lund serves as CEO of The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch and has quickly become well known for leading the facility’s next chapter. After moving to the area with his family, Lund stepped into a leadership role at the club and has helped shape its vision as a destination for both serious training and everyday community connection.

Now living in Lakewood Ranch with his wife, Stephanie, and their four children  Adalynn, Christian, Payton, and McKaelynn  Lund has embraced pickleball as a true family lifestyle. What began during the pandemic as a way to stay active together turned into a shared passion for training, competing, coaching, and growing in the sport.

Today, the Lund family competes in tournaments throughout the year, with Adalynn and Christian reaching the 5.0 level and competing in pro qualifiers on the PPA and APP tours. Stephanie works alongside Matt, and the children also help with lessons and clinics, making pickleball not just a passion, but a true family mission centered on development, opportunity, and connection.

That family-first approach is a major part of Lund’s vision for the Sarasota Manatees. As team owner and club CEO, he is dedicated to building up the youth side of the sport while creating a welcoming environment where players and families can connect, compete, and grow.

Recent renovations and ongoing improvements at The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch are helping turn the facility into a true training haven for competitive players of all levels, while also creating a social, community-driven space for those simply looking to have fun, stay active, and be part of something bigger. With its climate-controlled courts, expanded amenities, and focus on member experience, the club is positioned to serve both high-performance athletes and recreational players alike.

The Sarasota Manatees will host a league stop on June 6, when The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch will welcome both pro team competition and an amateur minor league event, giving players the opportunity to enjoy the team pickleball experience in the same exciting environment.

Quote from Matt Lund:

“This is more than just owning a team, it’s about building a movement. At The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch, we are fully committed to growing the game the right way and developing future leaders, mentoring the next generation of pro players, and creating opportunities for athletes and families to thrive both on and off the court.

What makes this even more exciting is the continued investment we’re making into our athletes through our new Athletic Training Center and our Wellness & Recovery Center. We’re creating a complete performance environment where players can train, recover, and develop at a high level. From strength and conditioning to recovery and injury prevention, we’re giving our athletes every tool they need to succeed long-term.

I’m incredibly excited to lead the Sarasota Manatees into this next chapter. We’re going to bring passion, energy, and a championship mindset every single day, while staying grounded in our core values of family, community, and development.

Our vision is simple: elevate the sport of pickleball, invest in people, and build something that lasts far beyond wins and losses. This is just the beginning of something truly special.”

The All Florida Pro League is part of the pickleball pro league system and is focused on developing the next wave of professional pickleball players. In addition to providing a high-level competitive platform, the league supports athletes beyond the court through community events, sponsorship opportunities, and meaningful local engagement.

Quote from Chris Crouch, who leads the efforts of Pickleball Pro Leagues:

“Matt represents exactly what we look for in an owner—someone who understands that building a great team starts with building a great community. What he’s doing at The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch aligns perfectly with our vision of developing players, creating opportunities, and growing the sport the right way. We’re excited to see the Sarasota Manatees take this next step under his leadership”

With Matt Lund leading the Sarasota Manatees, All Florida Pro League continues to expand its vision of building a competitive, community-driven future for the sport across the state.

Media Contact

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact chris@theopenplay.com or Matt Lund directly at matt@pickleballclublwr.com