Tim Bainton, Volleybird / Blue Chip Sports Management
COO, Volleybird; founder, Blue Chip Sports Management
November 10, 2026
Tim Bainton, COO of Volleybird and founder of Blue Chip Sports Management, started as a tennis coach working split shifts and built Blue Chip Sports Management across multiple facilities. I asked him what changes when you take on a second club, why an expensive lease can sink a padel business, and how to test demand before committing to new courts. Tim shares his experience at Epic Padel, his investment in the Palm Beach Royals, and the advice he gives every prospective operator: survey your audience before spending a dollar.
Key Takeaways
- Why a successful club model can fail one ZIP code away.
- The staffing and operating standards you need before taking on another facility.
- Why Tim favors owning the real estate over taking on an expensive lease.
- Testing padel at an existing club before committing to a standalone facility.
- The business reasoning behind his Palm Beach Royals investment.
- Surveying members and letting them try the sport before building new courts.
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