After requesting a $1 million tournament, Drew Brees makes a “big announcement,” which makes the new Orleanians extremely happy.

Below is a comprehensive look at how a casual request for a spot in a $1 million celebrity golf tournament led Drew Brees to make an announcement that has the New Orleans area buzzing. We’ll explore the genesis of the tournament, Brees’s light‑hearted plea for an invite, and the “big announcement” that followed—one sure to delight families across Metairie and beyond.

A former NFL icon’s playful bid for a tournament spot sparked the reveal of his next family‑fun venture.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently made a tongue‑in‑cheek request to Dave Portnoy for an invitation to Barstool Sports’ new “Internet Invitational” golf tournament—a four‑day, invite‑only event with a prize pool of at least $1 million, set for August 12–16, 2025, at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozarks . When the invite list—rumored to include 30–60 of the most popular influencer‑golfers—omitted his name, Brees took to Instagram to ask, “@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!” . Almost immediately, Brees followed up with a “big announcement” for his home community: the grand opening of a new Surge Entertainment center in Metairie, just minutes from the Superdome, offering arcade games, bowling, laser tag, immersive sports simulators, and a VIP meet‑and‑greet with Brees himself to the first 100 parties booked before May 15 . The news has New Orleanians—and Jefferson Parish families—celebrating the latest attraction in their backyard.

1. The $1 Million “Internet Invitational” Tournament

1.1 Portnoy’s Grand Plan

In early May 2025, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy officially unveiled the Internet Invitational, a golf tournament aimed at top influencers, athletes, and content creators. Portnoy shared via X:

“The Internet Invitational is coming August 12th–16th… The prize pool will be at least $1 million. This isn’t your mother’s golf tournament… 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.”

1.2 Venue and Format

Held at the renowned Big Cedar Lodge resort in Ridgedale, Missouri, the event promises to blend professional‑quality golf with streaming‑friendly, high‑energy commentary . Local news outlet KY3 reports that while exact course details are pending, the four‑day spectacle will include over $1 million in prize money, positioning it alongside other celebrity‑driven golf events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro‑Am .

2. Drew Brees’s “Can I Get an Invite?” Moment

Despite his legendary NFL résumé—over 80,000 passing yards, a Super Bowl MVP, and a reputation as one of the league’s all‑time greats—Drew Brees found himself left off the initial invite list for the Internet Invitational. Within hours of Portnoy’s announcement, Brees posted on his official Instagram story:

“@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!”

His playful demand quickly went viral among sports fans and New Orleans residents alike, who were eager to see their hometown hero tee off alongside the internet’s biggest names.

3. The “Big Announcement” for Metairie

3.1 Surge Entertainment’s Expansion

Almost immediately after his tournament plea, Brees pivoted to unveil a major development in his family‑entertainment business, Surge Entertainment:

“Big Announcement: Surge Entertainment in Metairie is now open,” Brees shared on Instagram on Monday .

3.2 A Family‑First Entertainment Hub

Surge Entertainment—co‑founded by Brees and entrepreneur Darren Balsamo—originated from a simple observation at a trampoline park. Brees envisioned a multi‑attraction venue blending:

• Bowling lanes
• Louisiana‑themed mini‑golf
• High‑tech sports simulators (tracking swing speed, accuracy, spin rate)
• Laser tag
• Arcade games
• Full bar and restaurant

This concept first launched in Louisiana and has since expanded across Gulf South markets including Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Bossier City, Mobile, and West Monroe .

3.3 Metairie’s Newest Surge Center

The Metairie location—at 7000 Veterans Memorial Boulevard—marks Surge’s sixth entertainment center and its first within a short drive of the Caesars Superdome . Key features include:

• 2‑story go‑kart racing track
• Arcade with dozens of games
• Louisiana‑themed mini‑golf course celebrating local culture
• Top‑tier Full Swing sports simulators (used on professional tours)
• Laser tag arenas, inflatable bounce houses, and more
• Full‑service bar and restaurant for parties and gatherings

Co‑owner Balsamo emphasizes the center’s community focus:

“This location will be a game‑changer for the community. We are committed to providing a premier entertainment experience that caters to all ages, and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store.”

4. Why New Orleanians Are Celebrating

4.1 Affordable, Accessible Fun

The opening offer—an autographed photo and VIP meet‑and‑greet with Drew Brees for the first 100 events booked before May 15—underscores Surge’s family‑first ethos and strong community ties . Parents, youth sports teams, and corporate groups now have a locally owned facility that rivals national chains in both technology and atmosphere.

4.2 Economic and Social Impact

Surge Entertainment’s arrival in Metairie promises to:

• Create jobs via on‑site hiring events
• Drive foot traffic to surrounding businesses
• Offer safe, indoor recreation year‑round in a region prone to extreme weather
• Serve as a hub for birthday parties, team building, and community gatherings

Local leaders have praised Brees’s continued investment in the area, noting that each Surge center has become a community anchor since the brand’s debut.

5. What’s Next for Drew Brees and the Community

5.1 Looking Ahead to August

Brees’s playful tug‑of‑war with Portnoy may yet see him on the starting tee at Big Cedar Lodge come mid‑August—assuming the @stoolpresidente account responds favorably . In the meantime, Metairie families are turning their attention to Surge’s grand opening events planned for late May and early June.

5.2 Sustaining Momentum

With the first Surge center having opened in 2022 and a successful rollout across five additional locations thereafter, Brees and Balsamo are already scouting future markets. Community feedback and early booking trends in Metairie will likely guide the brand’s next moves, ensuring that the South Louisiana region continues to benefit from locally driven entertainment ventures.

In sum, a light‑hearted request for a spot in a celebrity golf event morphed into a major announcement that will bring jobs, family fun, and renewed energy to Metairie. As New Orleanians toast their former quarterback’s latest venture, one thing is clear: Drew Brees’s impact on his adopted home extends far beyond the gridiron, spanning philanthropy, business, and now, the promise of family memories in Surge Entertainment’s newest playground.