BREAKING NEWS: Andre Agassi of Pickleball Fame Invests \$3.6 Million to Transform Historic Las Vegas Mansion into Shelter for Homeless Youth**
By: Serena Dalton, ESPN Human Interest Correspondent
May 6, 2025
LAS VEGAS, NV —In a heartfelt pivot from the court to the community, tennis legend-turned-pickleball ambassador **Andre Agassi** has once again proven why he’s more than just a sports icon. In an exclusive announcement Tuesday morning, Agassi revealed he has invested **\$3.6 million of his own funds** to convert a historic Las Vegas mansion into a state-of-the-art shelter and educational center for homeless and at-risk youth.
The initiative — dubbed **“Second Serve House”** — will open its doors later this year in the heart of the Paradise District, just blocks from where Agassi grew up. The restored 12-bedroom property will offer transitional housing, full-time mentorship staff, therapy rooms, and a unique on-site “Life Skills Court,” where teens can learn everything from financial literacy to nutrition, career prep, and yes — even pickleball.
“This is personal,” Agassi said, his voice catching during a press conference held on the estate’s freshly landscaped lawn. “This city gave me everything — and I’ve seen how easily kids can fall through the cracks here. I’m investing in a space where they can feel safe, supported, and seen.”
**From Champion to Advocate**
Agassi’s rise from a rebellious Las Vegas teenager to one of tennis’s all-time greats is well documented. But in recent years, his work off the court — especially in education and youth development — has redefined his legacy.
After launching the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in 2001 and later founding a charter school investment fund, Agassi surprised fans in 2023 by joining the pickleball circuit. His charisma, competitiveness, and ambassadorship helped skyrocket the sport’s visibility among older and younger fans alike.
But Agassi always insisted pickleball was a “platform for purpose.”
“When I picked up that paddle, it wasn’t just to win. It was to reach more people,” he told ESPN in a recent interview. “This shelter is a natural next step.”
**A Mansion With a Mission**
The 8,700-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival home — once owned by a Rat Pack-era Vegas lounge singer — was falling into disrepair before Agassi quietly purchased it last fall. Over the past six months, crews have worked around the clock to repurpose the opulent estate into something far more meaningful.
The ornate ballroom is now a multi-use community room, where local teachers will host GED and college prep classes. Former guest suites have been converted into comfortable double-occupancy dorms, each with modern amenities and calming décor inspired by desert landscapes.
The house also includes a professional-grade kitchen and dining area, which Agassi says will serve as “the heart of the home,” offering chef-led cooking classes alongside shared meals.
“I want this place to feel like a sanctuary,” Agassi said. “Not an institution. These kids deserve beauty, dignity, and a place they’re proud to call home.”
**Support From the Sports World**
News of Agassi’s donation sparked an outpouring of praise from the sports world.
“Man, Andre’s got the biggest heart,” said fellow pickleball pro and former NBA star Nate Robinson. “He’s showing the rest of us what it means to give back in a way that really counts.”
Serena Williams, who partnered with Agassi on an educational initiative in 2019, called the move “pure class.”
“We don’t need more talking. We need more doing. Andre’s doing it — and I couldn’t be prouder to call him a friend.”
Even Las Vegas Raiders quarterback C.J. Stroud weighed in on social media: *“Real ones build for the future. Respect to the GOAT.”*
**Youth Advocates Applaud The Move**
Advocates working with Nevada’s homeless population were quick to highlight the importance of Agassi’s initiative.
Las Vegas currently ranks among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for unaccompanied homeless youth, with many minors facing barriers to shelter due to age, legal status, or trauma-related trust issues.
“This could be a game-changer,” said Maya Trujillo, director of the Clark County Youth Outreach Council. “A celebrity with Andre’s reach choosing to lead with compassion — that sends a powerful message. It’s not charity. It’s justice.”
Trujillo, whose nonprofit will partner with Second Serve House to provide clinical support and case management, praised the facility’s trauma-informed design and flexible approach.
“These kids don’t just need a bed,” she said. “They need mentorship, healing, and pathways. Andre gets that.”
**More Than a Shelter**
Second Serve House isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s a launching pad. Each resident will receive a tailored plan focused on personal goals, education, employment, and wellness. A team of full-time staff — including former educators, therapists, and social workers — will support youth through six- to eighteen-month stays.
Perhaps most unusual is the “pickleball mentorship program,” where Agassi and other local athletes will train youth not only in the sport, but in values like discipline, strategy, and sportsmanship.
“We’re using the court as a metaphor,” Agassi explained. “You serve, you adjust, you hustle, you reset. It’s life in motion.”
Plans are also underway to launch “Second Serve Scholars,” a scholarship fund for program graduates pursuing higher education or vocational training.
**Looking Ahead**
Agassi’s investment is just the beginning. He has pledged to cover the first three years of operating costs out of pocket and is working with local leaders to expand services statewide.
He hinted that the Second Serve model could become a blueprint for other cities struggling with youth homelessness.
“I’d love to see a Second Serve House in every city where there’s need,” Agassi said. “This isn’t just about Las Vegas. It’s about recognizing the potential in every kid — no matter where they come from.”
As Agassi toured the finished rooms, showing off bunk beds with handmade quilts, a digital media lab, and a serenity garden designed in memory of his mother, the passion in his voice was unmistakable.
“I’ve played on center courts around the world,” he said quietly. “But this — this might be the most important court I’ve ever built.”