At MDL Group, our culture is anchored in a core value of family. While we take the management and brokerage of commercial real estate seriously, we also recognize the importance of stepping away from the desks, picking up a paddle, and connecting as a team. Last month, our team members gathered at Chicken N Pickle in Henderson for an evening of intense competition at the 2026 MDL Group Pickleball Tournament.
The event, hosted by Fredrik, brought our teams from across the valley together for three hours of active, high,energy team building.
Setting the Stage for Pickleball 2.0
Following the success of our previous team events, the demand for a return to the courts was unanimous. To keep the competition fair, inclusive, and highly entertaining, we bypassed curated partnerships and utilized a random drawing format based on self-identified skill levels:
- The Beginner Cup: Designed for those who were brand new to the sport or just getting started.
- The Intermediate or Better Cup: Reserved for the players who knew exactly what a dink was and were not afraid to use it.
To prevent any strategic advantage, sandbagging was strictly prohibited. Team members arrived early to take advantage of warmup courts, dropped their names into the cups, and waited for the luck of the draw to pair them up before tournament play officially kicked off.
The Champions Crowned
The tournament delivered exactly what we hoped for, which was a night full of fast-paced rallies, plenty of laughter, and a healthy dose of competitive spirit. After several hard-fought rounds on the courts, Hayim and Keith advanced through the bracket to claim the ultimate victory, walking away as the official 2026 MDL Group Pickleball Champions.
Why Team Building Matters to The MDL Way
Events like this tournament are more than just an excuse to play a popular sport, they are a vital part of how we maintain our internal cohesion. Property management and commercial brokerage require seamless collaboration and trust. By building those relationships on the court, we strengthen the communication and teamwork that our clients experience every day when working with us.
Thank you to Fredrik for hosting an incredible event, to Chicken N Pickle for taking great care of us, and to everyone who came out to play, cheer, and represent the MDL Group family.
Stay tuned to see if the team votes for a round three on the courts or if we will be trading our paddles for kickballs in our next company outing!
