Team Announcement: The Philadelphia Lightning
Philly fans, fasten your seatbelts! The National Squash League is thrilled to announce the Philadelphia Lightning as the first men’s expansion team for the 2025 season. The team ownership group of Tracey Specter, John White and BG Lemmon is an absolutely star studded lineup with a perfect blend of squash expertise and connection to the city. The Lightning will compete out of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in the heart of University City, Philadelphia and will be one of the teams competing in the Opening Day matchup for NSL 2025. Follow their new team page on instagram @nslphillylightning for team updates and other fun content!
Philadelphia Lightning Home Venue, the Arlen Specter Center
The Ownership Group:
Tracey Specter has been making a huge impact in Philadelphia for over 30 years, helping run dozens of nonprofit organizations and inspiring the next generation with her work as a Life and Leadership coach. She currently is the Board Chair of the Share Food Program, which serves over 1 million vulnerable Philadelphia residents per month. The NSL is thrilled to have such a passionate and distinguished member of the community own and represent the city’s squash team.
Tracey Specter, Philadelphia Lightning Owner
“Being part of a group bringing a professional squash team to Philadelphia is a dream come true. Philadelphia is a city of sports enthusiasts, and I believe the NSL will electrify fans with a high energy and star athletic experience. The NSL has created an exciting new way to engage in the game of squash that I believe will appeal to sports lovers in Philadelphia.”
John White up next needs no introduction- a World #1 squash player who turned heads in his comeback to the scene in the NSL Legends match, showing he’s still got the soft hands and devastating swing that took him to the top of the mountain. Beyond that, John heads the Drexel squash team and has impacted hundreds of young adults in both their squash and personal lives.
John White, Philadelphia Lightning Owner
“I am very honored to be teaming up with Tracey Specter and BG Lemmon in owning/coaching the Philadelphia Lightning. The NSL is a very exciting league where the spectators get to see top class squash, along with great entertainment where you are on the edge of your seats from the first point. Can’t wait for the start of the season, especially when the Lightning strikes down the Knights!!”
Finally, we have Pennsylvania native BG Lemmon rounding out the ownership group. BG is a lifelong squash enthusiast and stalwart for the Philly squash scene, competing at the highest level in both singles and doubles from his junior days through his college years. BG captained the University of Pennsylvania Squash Team to their best national finish in over a decade in the 2016-17 season and helped lay the groundwork for a program that has become a juggernaut in recent years. BG also is a four time (yes, you read that right- it’s a record) national doubles champion in the Father-Son Division with his dad George Lemmon. BG brings a wealth of squash knowledge to the Lightning but also a strong connection to the local squash scene.
BG Lemmon, Philadelphia Lightning Owner
“I’ve been a big fan of the concept of the NSL since it had its first exhibition in Louisville. When I heard there was a possibility of a team forming in Philadelphia, I did everything I could to get a seat at the table. To partner up with Tracey Specter, who individually and with her family has done so much for squash, especially in Philadelphia, and John White, an absolute squash legend, it truly is surreal to me still.
As a college squash player, the team aspect made playing matches more meaningful and special. What I love about the NSL is that it creates not only that team atmosphere, but the rules allow different brands of squash to be displayed. Traditional squash matches can really be stagnant depending on the matchup of players. With the NSL format, you can have super creative players be more risky and show off their talents that they may not be able to in a regular tournament.
At its core, the NSL offers a unique and creative way to play a sport which has given so much to me. I look forward to working with the Philadelphia Lightning team to make our organization the place that players want to be, but more importantly, to continue growing the sport of squash.”
Stay tuned for more from the Philadelphia Lightning coming in 2025 before the NSL Draft!
