Game, set, meme!
The Wall Street meme master behind Litquidity, an anonymously-run Instagram account, is raising money to launch an exclusive private tennis club as the racket sport craze sweeps up many of his 1 million followers.
The 30-something social media influencer hopes to launch a high-concept chain called the Bond Racquet and Wellness Club, that caters to pickleball players and the lesser known padel ball, he told On The Money.
“The goal is to make this a modern New York Athletic Club, where the social element of Soho House meets the fitness of an Equinox,” the former Wall Street worker said of the project he co-founded with First Serve Partners’ Waylon Chin and tennis pro Antonio Torri.
The aspiring racket club mogul has already gotten backing from individual investors at hedge funds, private equity groups and other financial firms, he said.
The plan is to open outposts in Manhattan, Miami and the Hamptons, where he has showcased the concept at two pop-ups at existing racket clubs this summer.
Earlier this week, tennis icon Roger Federer was spotted on the court. The founder of popular streetwear brand Kith, Ronnie Fieg, has also played some matches.
However, it will be the Wall Street rank-and-file who obsess over his posts that are vital to pushing the concept to the next level.
He believes that if enough of the city’s future power brokers buy in, they can make it a modern-day country club, with all the benefits of networking that golf provides in a much more time-efficient manner.
“That’s where the Litquidity audience comes into play,” he said. “People with disposable income follow my account.”
Racket sports have exploded in popularity over the last few years, with pickleball expected to grow into a $2.4 billion industry.
Both padel ball and paddle ball are gaining momentum as well. Pickleball uses square wooden paddles, similar to those found at frat houses, whereas padel and paddle ball use tennis-like rackets.
His concept isn’t the only game in town. Padel Haus and Reserve have already sprung up in New York City. But unlike Bond, those clubs just provide courts, whereas his concept will offer a wellness component including infrared saunas, compression boots and the viral cold plunge.
“We’re looking to build a brand that is national and international,” he said. “People can catch up while they’re playing and it doesn’t take all day.”
He would not reveal how much membership will cost for Bond – coined for the combination of body and mind – only saying the goal is to make it accessible.
The concept faces a litmus test next week when he holds the “Lit Cup,” the biggest padel ball event Bond has hosted.
While the man behind the account is still keeping his identity anonymous online, he doesn’t think that’ll be an issue when it comes to building out the brand.
In fact, he regularly appears on the court and shows up to each event he hosts. It’s just that most people don’t recognize him.
“It’s the Hamptons… there are tons of celebrities and billionaires so I’m not worried someone will take a photo and out me,” he quipped.
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]
