building a future for padel in vegas
The Las Vegas Smash, under the ownership ensemble including Belcastro, Strasser, Maloof, Abe Benitah, Michael Goodman, and Alejandro Hernandez, secured victory in the inaugural 2023 PPL Cup, marking a major milestone for the fledgling league
we win as one
“We are very proud and happy for the team to win the inaugural PPL season and take home the PPL Cup. The Smash has great synergy amongst the team and with the city of Las Vegas”
RACKET SPORT TO THE
FOUNDERS
In March 2023, Henry Strasser, alongside Rick Belcastro, acquired the Las Vegas PPL franchise with prominent sports executive Gavin Maloof as part of the ownership team.
Henry Strasser is a principal at Phantom Developments, a long-standing, family-owned real estate firm.
Rick Belcastro held a highly decorated career in global private banking and the hedge fund industry. He retired in 2016 and has since focused on direct investing and consulting with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.
GAVIN MALOOF
Gavin Maloof is a seasoned American businessman and veteran sports team owner, renowned for his involvement in professional basketball and hockey—he and his family co-owned the NBA’s Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings (1998–2013), and remain minority owners of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights . In recent years, he has expanded his sports portfolio by joining the ownership group of the Las Vegas Smash, a franchise in North America’s first professional Padel league, the Pro Padel League (PPL). Gavin’s venture into Padel reflects both his enduring passion for competitive sports and his commitment to propelling emerging leagues to prominence.
STAFF
ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ
MANAGER
Alejandro Hernández plays a pivotal role in shaping the Las Vegas Smash roster as the team’s recruiter and coordinator. With a sharp eye for talent and a deep understanding of the game, Alejandro is responsible for identifying and securing the players who embody the skill, spirit, and competitive drive that define the Smash.
Behind the scenes, he also ensures smooth coordination between athletes, coaches, and management—handling logistics, player onboarding, and communication with professionalism and precision. His ability to balance recruitment strategy with day-to-day support makes him an essential link in the Smash organization.
Alejandro’s dedication to building strong relationships and fostering a high-performance culture has been instrumental in the Smash’s success within the Pro Padel League. By combining talent acquisition with operational excellence, he helps ensure the team remains both competitive on the court and cohesive off it.
LEILA BAN
ADMIN
Leila oversees the logistics that make the Smash tick—coordinating travel schedules, managing communications, and ensuring the team’s day-to-day operations stay on track. From handling league requirements to supporting players and staff with their needs, she makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.
CREENAGH FLYNN
CREATIVE
Creenagh Flynn is the creative behind the Las Vegas Smash, Creenagh’s sports-luxe style ensures the Smash stand out on and off the court. As the team’s creative visionary, Creenagh’s designs elevate every touchpoint—from the digital experience to live event interactions—making the Smash one of the most recognizable and dynamic franchises in the league.
vegas
COMMITMENT TO LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Smash players are committed to engaging with the community and creating a vibrant padel culture in Las Vegas. They offer coaching and training programs for all ages and skill levels, host exhibitions, and organize tournaments to encourage sports participation and fan adoration for the sport of Padel at the pro level.
With the arrival of Las Vegas Smash, the city is poised to become a hub for padel enthusiasts, attracting fans and players from around the country and internationally. It adds another exciting dimension to Las Vegas’s image as a premiere sports hub and entertainment destination.
BUILDING COMMUNITY & FANS IN NORTH AMERICAN
PRO PADEL
Pro Padel League
The PPL’s inaugural season kicked-off May 13th with seven teams and started the 2025 season with 9 franchises in Canada, USA and Canada.
PPL is providing players and fans with a new platform, luxurious events that are hosted around the world Thursday through Sunday, the excitement culminating in the New York City Finals in October each year.
Currently, Padel has over 30 million players worldwide and is growing in popularity in the U.S. with the number of Padel courts set to double in 2025. The PPL will enable players, coaches, team owners, facility owners, broadcasters, fans, sponsors, and brands to all be involved in, and capitalize on, the sport’s explosive growth.
