Clear Skies Hospitality, the Chicago-based parent company behind SPF, has acquired The Exchange in New Orleans, marking the company’s first expansion beyond Illinois.
The deal, which closed May 22, brings together two venues that were built independently but share a strikingly similar origin story. Both SPF co-founder Richard Green and Exchange founder Renée Melchiode trace their inspiration to a visit to Courtside Kitchen in Fort Worth, Texas — just months apart from each other, before either had ever spoken. The two finally connected at the Pickleball Innovators Summit in October 2025, where a shared vision for community-first club culture set the conversation in motion.
“The first time I walked in The Exchange, it felt like a cousin facility right away,” said Green.
The Exchange opened in 2023 in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, offering six indoor courts, one outdoor court, and a full food and beverage program across 26,000 square feet.
SPF boasts a 42,000-square-foot facility in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood that opened in January 2024 as the city’s largest indoor pickleball club. Clear Skies also operates SPF All Day, Chicago’s first 24/7 autonomous pickleball facility in Old Irving Park, with a third SPF location set to open in the West Loop in November 2026.
For Melchiode, the decision to sell came not from struggle but from clarity. “I’m a little older than Rich, and I’ve been contemplating an exit — not because the business isn’t doing great, but because we’re now at a point where the business can benefit from a multi-facility operator with greater economies of scale,” she said. “Clear Skies Hospitality has the resources to take what we’ve built and what people love about The Exchange, and make it better.”
Melchiode will remain involved through the transition, and the venue will continue to operate under The Exchange name with its existing team in place.
“We believe the strongest communities are built by enhancing what already resonates locally, not replacing it,” Green said in the official announcement. “The Exchange has created something truly special in New Orleans, and we look forward to building on that foundation while creating meaningful connections between our communities in New Orleans and Chicago.”
Both founders point to a natural alignment between the two cities — major tourist destinations, sports towns, and places where people already move between for leisure — as part of what made the deal feel right. Green said Clear Skies is already envisioning cross-club programming: summer trips to Chicago for New Orleans members, winter trips south for Chicagoans, shared coaching staff, and even inter-club competitions and trivia nights.
“I think it’s pretty unique in the pickleball space to be able to do that,” said Green. “We’re creating indoor backyards in cities — urban oases of pickleball, where you can commune, play your favorite game, and just feel at home.”
For Melchiode, handing off what she built carries a sense of pride. “I am most excited that this team understands what we have created and will continue to improve upon it without diminishing our legacy,” she said. “I think it will be better than any of our wildest expectations.”
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
