Cease us in case you’ve heard this one earlier than: Residents of an upscale neighborhood are in an uproar over a proposed pickleball court docket set up, fearing the noise will shatter the peace and tranquility of close by houses.
It is a story as outdated as time. This model takes place in Apollo Seashore, Florida, the place the householders affiliation’s plans to transform present tennis courts right into a pickleball facility have been met with appreciable pushback, and even a lawsuit filed on August 15, in keeping with the Each day Mail.
On the coronary heart of the lawsuit: Robert Davi (image above, proper), an actor with main roles in films from “The Goonies” to “Die Onerous” to “Inside Man.”
He additionally famously portrayed Franz Sanchez, the villain to Timothy Dalton’s James Bond in 1989’s “License to Kill.”
Iconic Bond villain wages warfare in opposition to Florida HOA’s pickleball plans https://t.co/78Yleo5bfl by way of @MailOnline HELP VETERANS YOUR SB180 is being Mis Used ! @GovRonDeSantis @JayCollinsFL
— Robert Davi (@RobertJohnDavi) September 8, 2025
The lawsuit reportedly contends “the closeness of houses to the courts can be subjected to fixed noise from the fixed ‘pong’ sound of generated by the balls hitting the paddle throughout gameplay, which frequently begins at daybreak and may proceed for hours.”
Davi appeared earlier than the Hillsborough County Fee to plead his case, mimicking the acquainted “pong, pong, pong” of a ball hitting a paddle, saying:
“I may spend three minutes doing that. Would you want that subsequent to your group? We’d like you guys to step up. We’d like you to essentially put in an ordinance.”
He is been vocal about it to his 280,000 followers on X, as nicely.
Davi’s opposition is not to the game itself, it appears, however to the placement of those specific courts. Different residents voiced comparable considerations.
“This tennis court docket pickleball initiative is principally turning your neighbors, into your enemies, mentioned one resident who lives close by.
“My concern is the acoustics related to the sport. My concern about it’s the hours that they are going to be allowed to play that sport. It’s early morning into the evening.”
For extra on this ongoing authorized battle, try this piece from the Tampa Bay Instances (paywall; you will discover an archived model right here).
Characteristic picture by way of IMDB
