Sporting KC teammates open metro’s first padel club in Overland Park

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - One of Europe’s fastest-rising sports can now call the Kansas City metro home thanks to six Sporting KC teammates.

Members of La Casa del Padel, the Kansas City metro’s first padel club, met for the first time in Overland Park on Saturday morning, Aug. 10. Padel, one of the fastest-growing sports in Europe, has now made its Midwest debut.

Leaders noted that the sport involves racquets and started in Mexico. It has been likened to a mixture of tennis and squash. La Casa del Padel is not just a club, but a passion project brought to life through the hard work of six Sporting KC soccer players: Roger Espinoza, Andrew Fontas, Uri Rosell, Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi and Graham Zusi.

The founder said they found a way to unplug off the field through padel, now they are business partners as well. One of the club’s co-founders said it is all about bringing Kansas Citians together.

“This is one of those things that we’re bringing this sport here for the first time, the first club,” said Daniel Salloi. “And we want to give back to the community and invest in the community and have more people come out here and try this new sport and connect through padel.”

The club is now a chance for the teammates to share the culture and rising popularity of the sport in Kansas City. It is located off 91st and Metcalf Ave. at 6800 W. 91st St., Overland Park.

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