Kick-Starting US Padel Fever

When Mexico City native Fabian Gosselin, MBA ’22, moved to Chicago to attend Booth, he searched in vain for a court where he could play what is a popular sport in Mexico but only an up-and-coming one in the United States: padel. According to the Madrid-based International Padel Federation, the racket sport has more than 30 million active players in 130 countries around the world.  

Upon graduating from Booth, Gosselin embarked on what he terms his “passion project”—bringing padel to Chicago. This summer, Gosselin plans to unveil Union Padel Club, one of the city’s first padel facilities. Located at 219 North Paulina Street, adjacent to the city’s Fulton Market district, it will include five playing courts as well as lounges, food and beverage options, and coworking spaces. 

Gosselin’s partner in the project is Peter Goldman, who operates Lakeshore Sport & Fitness in Chicago and Elite Sports Club locations in Milwaukee—large, multisport facilities. LSF lead investors put up an initial $1.5 million commitment, and Gosselin raised the other portion of the $2 million total from family and friends, many based in Chicago. The partners have about 15 total investors. The fundraise had a quick timeline, he says, kicking off in December and closing in the beginning of February.  

If all goes according to plan, there will be additional clubs. “We strongly believe that there is going to be a padel mania in the next few years,” Gosselin says. He credits Booth with providing him with the tools he needed to succeed as an entrepreneur. “Looking back,” he says, “it’s incredible how much of what I learned has direct applications to real-life business experiences.”  

For now, he is looking forward to having a place to play his favorite sport. “What I love most about padel is that it’s the perfect balance of exercise and social interaction. It’s easy on the body while still giving you a great workout. The fun is contagious.”