Bernie, we have a problem.

Austin City Council slams the brakes on Formula One plan, delays crucial vote

Bernie Ecclestone

Austin City Council members Thursday threw sand in the eyes of Formula One lobbyist Richard Suttle, postponing a crucial vote to endorse a United States Grand Prix in the Texas capital city.

Suttle, who was handpicked by State Comptroller Susan Combs to sway City Hall, told the council that unless they voted today to approve a contract that sometimes seemed like it had been ordered from LegalZoom.com, Austin might not get a race because of strict funding deadlines.

In what played out as a total debacle, Austin city lawyers sweated in front of the entire racing planet — with thousands of fans watching live online — and struggled to answer repeated questions from council members about the contract they were asking those members to endorse. That contract would bring F1 racing back to America.

Only Austin's mayor, Lee Leffingwell, seemed confident that the deal was without faults, but his peers left him in the cold, voting 6-1 to actually create a contract before they vote on it.

Austin Formula One fans — who showed up in force with pressed polo shirts and shiny handbags — are now likely creating clever combinations of four-letter words behind the wheel of their Escalades.

Why?

Because Thursday was Council Member Randi Shade's last day on the job before vocal F1 critic Kathie Tovo, who defeated Shade recently in a mudslinging bloodbath, takes her seat. The election shifted the power base to the half of city council that is skeptical of the whole thing and creates a real possibility that Austin city council will kill the F1 race, because city council must endorse the state's plan to hand $25 million over to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, in order to hold the race at the new track already being built out by the airport, starting in 2012.

A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in another attempt to stop that $25 million from being paid.

The Austin City Council will now hear the Formula One topic on June 29.

Formula One's creating a roar in Austin even before the track is built.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings