Preserve the Tennis
We don't buy clubs to redevelop them. Courts, programs, leagues and the junior pipeline continue, and we hold for the long term.
A permanent home for independent tennis clubs
Preserve the club. Grow the game.
Preserve Tennis acquires tennis clubs from owners ready for the next chapter. We preserve the tennis, the staff, and the club receives the capital and systems required to thrive for future generations.
Most buyers want the land. We want the club.
Independent clubs are being sold to developers and converted into something else. We're building the alternative: a long-term owner whose only business is well-run tennis clubs.
Preserve the People
Your pros, front desk and maintenance staff are the reason members renew. They keep their jobs, and we partner with them to accelerate growth in the business.
Grow the Club
Infrastructure, systems, programming: the deferred projects that are difficult to execute alone are what we budget for first.
What we look for
We're specific on purpose. If your club looks like this, we would love to meet.
- Type of clubIndependent, owner-operated, with tennis as the core business. Indoor, outdoor or both.
- SizeFour or more courts, with an established membership and program base.
- GeographyUnited States.
- OwnershipFounders or families thinking about succession, retirement or a partner to take on the next chapter.
- Real estateOwned or long-leased. We're comfortable with either and can structure around it.
- ConditionWell-run and loved. Deferred maintenance is fine; that's what we're here to fund.
How a sale works
Confidential, direct, and on your timeline. Nothing is shared with members or staff until you decide it should be.
- Step 1
Conversation
A confidential call about the club, your goals and whether we're a fit. No documents needed to start.
- Step 2
Site Visit
We come see the courts, meet you in person and walk the facility. Will has run clubs like yours and knows what to look at.
- Step 3
Offer
A written proposal with price, structure and what changes and what doesn't. Sellers often stay involved through a transition, if they want to.
- Step 4
Close
Diligence, financing and legal are handled by us. We've structured these deals before and keep the process predictable.
Our Team
Doug Del Bene
Co-founder
Doug has been investing across sports, consumer, technology, and real estate businesses for the past decade. His experience spans across majority and minority growth investing, with stops at Powerhouse Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, Tiger Infrastructure, and J.P. Morgan. Doug is a participatory sports fanatic, wherever he can compete with his friends and himself. His rating and handicap will always need work.
Will Mercorella
Co-founder
More than ten years operating premier tennis clubs across Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, as manager, owner and teaching pro, including Westport Tennis Club. A top-10 USTA New England junior and captain of Lafayette College's Division I men's team. When Will isn't on the court, he is searching for the next best salt water beach to swim in.
Thinking about what's next for your club?
Tell us a little about it and one of us will reply personally, usually within a day. Every conversation is confidential and there's no obligation.
Prefer email? hello@preservetennis.com