Drew Brees may have stepped away from the NFL, but he’s not exactly coasting through retirement. The former Saints quarterback is diving headfirst into the world of sports innovation, putting his competitive drive behind a brand-new game called Typti - a fast-paced hybrid of tennis and pickleball that’s aiming to carve out its own lane in the growing world of alternative sports.
Here’s the rundown: Typti is played on a pickleball court, but the equipment and rules give it a distinct identity. Players use smaller, tennis-style rackets and a foam ball that’s still live even if it clips the net.
And here’s where it gets really interesting - competitors can return the ball not just with their racket, but also with their foot, hand, or even the racket handle. It’s a sport that blends agility, creativity, and a little bit of flair, and Brees has been right in the thick of it, helping shape the rules and testing the format over the past two years.
Brees isn’t going it alone. He’s teamed up with Steve Bellamy - a name with deep ties in the sports and entertainment space - and they’re part of a group of more than 80 celebrity investors backing Typti.
It’s a diverse roster that includes motivational speaker Tony Robbins, filmmaker J.J. Abrams, and comedian Tiffany Haddish.
The goal? To ride the wave of pickleball’s meteoric rise and introduce something fresh that builds on that momentum.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Pickleball is exploding across the country, with an estimated 130 new courts being built every month. Typti is looking to capitalize on that infrastructure while offering a new twist that could appeal to both casual players and serious competitors.
The sport is already making inroads at the collegiate level. Bellamy recently finalized a deal with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, which will now host a Typti collegiate championship - a major step in legitimizing the sport and building a pipeline of young talent. On the pro side, Typti tournaments are expected to launch soon, with prize pools starting at $500,000 and discussions already underway for a potential million-dollar event down the line.
For Brees, this isn’t just a side hustle - it’s part of a broader commitment to growing the game and building community through sport. He’s also the owner of Pickle N Pins, a massive entertainment complex in Metairie that opened in October 2024. The facility features indoor pickleball courts, Krazy Darts, axe throwing, cornhole, and ping pong - a kind of playground for grown-ups that reflects Brees’ passion for competition and connection.
And then there’s the NOLA Pickle Fest, an annual event Brees hosts to benefit the Brees Dream Foundation, which supports local children and families in need. This past August, the festival featured a marquee matchup between Brees and tennis legend Andre Agassi - a moment that blended fun with purpose and showcased the kind of energy Brees is bringing to his post-NFL ventures.
Bottom line: Drew Brees is still in the game - just a different kind of game. With Typti, he’s not only helping launch a new sport but also building a platform that could redefine how we think about recreational and competitive play. And if his track record is any indication, he’s not just playing - he’s aiming to win.