New Orleanians Couldn’t Be Happier as Drew Brees Makes ‘Big Announcement’ After $1M Tournament Request

A reality show from 2015 caught Darren Balsamo’s attention. When he watched kids flopping around on trampolines in an indoor facility, he was intrigued by their laughing faces and the business idea behind it. After some searching, he found a similar facility in a neighboring city and visited it multiple times to understand how the business worked. Soon, he got down to work on his own brand and brought in some partners; Together, they opened a franchise in Monroe, LA; Jackson, MS, and several other locations, and Balsamo quickly became the co-owner of 11 Adventure Parks and 4 (still counting) Family Entertainment Centers by Surge.

But in 2018, when he got to know that a star, New Orleans Saints QB, was hosting his son’s party at their venue the next day, Balsamo pulled up to see what they thought about his business. It didn’t take him much time to realize the star was none other than Drew Brees and his family. The player realized the potential of Surge when he saw how much fun his son had, and after 30 minutes of conversation about the business, he found himself calling Balsamo and discussing how he could get involved too.

Months later, the QB became a partner. What he found intriguing was the fact that the business was making big-city entertainment accessible to local communities. The more new locations they added to their growing list, the more they had to ensure the addition of the latest attractions. And that’s what they did with their newest venue in Metairie!

The QB took to Instagram and wrote: “Big Announcement: Surge Entertainment in Metairie is now open!! Get a birthday party or event on the books with us and you’ll get an autographed photo and meet n greet with me in May! That’s right…all you have to do is book a fun event with you and your friends at Surge Entertainment New Orleans!!! Bowling, mini golf, golf simulators, laser tag, strike arena, arcade, restaurant…fun for the everyone!!”

The offer, which applies to the first 100 parties or events booked before May 15, includes an autographed photo and access to a VIP meet-and-greet event with Brees later this month. It’s part of a broader push to blend accessible, high-energy recreation with the kind of family-first values that have long defined Brees’ brand both on and off the field. While Surge locations have opened across the Gulf South, from Lafayette to West Monroe, the new Metairie venue marks a milestone:

It’s the first within a short drive of the Caesars Superdome and the city Drew Brees helped revitalize in the years following Hurricane Katrina. The location also expands Surge’s use of interactive sports simulator technology, including multi-sport systems that track swing speed, accuracy, and spin rate—features that cater to both casual players and serious competitors. Though the business hasn’t publicly confirmed a flagship partnership with a single simulator brand, its venues have increasingly incorporated tech from top-tier providers like Full Swing, whose systems are used by Tiger Woods and Steph Curry. For Brees, a longtime golf enthusiast and frequent Pebble Beach Pro-Am participant, the addition aligns with his broader interest in performance-based recreation.

So here are the quick details to make your experience better. The operating hours are from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every day except Friday and Saturday. On Friday and Saturday, the operating hours are from 11:00 am to 12:00 am and 9:00 am to 12:00 am, respectively. Surge Entertainment also offers online bookings for various activities, including bowling lanes and sports simulator sessions.

Plus, comprehensive packages for birthday parties and corporate events are the cherry on the cake. So, all in all, Surge Entertainment is set for yet another wild ride, and this time it’s in Metairie. On the flip side, Drew Brees is looking to make waves in another sport as well—only if he gets an invitation.

When Drew Brees was excluded from the “Internet Invitational“

Golf tournaments with a mix of celebrities are really taking off. You’ve got events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with stars like Josh Allen, Jason Bateman, and more. Then there’s the 8AM Golf Invitational with Justin Timberlake, featuring the Kelce brothers, where the star power totally elevates the vibe.

And now, it looks like Barstool Sports and Dave Portnoy are getting in the game. And they’re coming with their “Internet Invitational” golf tournament. The prize money, you ask? A sweet $1 million. And get this, it’s not going to be a usual golf tournament. In Portnoy’s language, “By the way, this isn’t your mother’s golf tournament. We’re not going to be quiet in a thing like this. We want bad shots. We want you to feel the pressure. It’s going to be 30 to 50 to 60 of the most well-known golfers, celebrity athletes, internet people with big money, big stakes and us in your ear chirping.”

30 to 50 and even 60 celebrity athletes, and golfers, and guess who’s not on the list? Well, Drew Brees was excluded from the list. But let’s not make a mess out of this. Right after Portnoy announced the Internet Invitational, Brees took to his official IG handle and shared a story, writing, “@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!” Well, the Saints legend is a golf enthusiast as well.

The list is intended to be around 50 to 60 golfers and celebrity athletes, no doubt. But the way things are shaping up, don’t be surprised if the numbers start to climb. While it’s unclear whether Drew Brees will get an invitation or not, one thing’s for sure: Dave Portnoy is coming with a high-stakes golf tournament.