Major League Pickleball: Everything You Need to Know!

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has emerged as a premier professional league, showcasing top pickleball athletes from across the nation. With specially designed courts and intense competition, MLP offers a thrilling experience for players and fans alike.

In this introduction, we will explore the dynamic world of MLP, its exciting tournaments, and the incredible talent that defines this elite level of pickleball competition. Get ready to discover how MLP is taking the sport to new heights with its electrifying gameplay and captivating atmosphere.

What is Major League Pickleball?

Major League Pickleball is a professional pickleball league that was founded in 2022 by a group of passionate pickleball enthusiasts who wanted to elevate and grow the sport. MLP aims to provide thrilling events and experiences for players and fans alike, as well as high-quality live broadcasts for viewers around the world.

MLP features two levels of competition: Premier and Challenger. The Premier level consists of 12 teams of four players each (two men and two women), who compete in a round-robin format followed by playoffs and finals. The Challenger level consists of 16 teams of four players each (two men and two women), who compete in a single-elimination tournament. Each team has an owner who drafts the players and manages the team.

MLP matches are played on specially designed-courts with LED lighting, music, and live commentary. Each match consists of five games: men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, and women’s singles. Each game is played to 15 points, win by two, with no-ad scoring. The team with the most total points at the end of the match wins.

MLP offers a total of $5 million in prize money for the teams and players, making it one of the most lucrative pickleball leagues in the world. The winning team of the Premier level receives $1 million, while the winning team of the Challenger level receives $250,000. Individual players also receive bonuses based on their performance and ranking.

How Major League Pickleball Works

Each season of Major League Pickleball lasts roughly four months. The league runs on a seasonal basis. There are four tournaments in each season, and they are all held in various cities across the country. The first three competitions are regular season competitions where clubs earn points based on the outcomes of their matches.

The top eight teams from the Premier level and the top 16 teams from the Challenger level fight for the championship in the fourth event.

The first MLP tournament took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, in March 2022, kicking off the first season. In May 2022, the second event occurred in Mesa, Arizona. The third event took place in July 2022 in San Clemente, California.

The inaugural event of MLP’s second season will take place in Orlando, Florida, in March 2023. Nashville, Tennessee will host the second event in May 2023. In July 2023, the third event will take place in Chicago, Illinois. The championship contest will take place in September 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Live coverage of MLP matches is provided by local TV stations in various regions, as well as through streaming services like YouTube. On the website and social media pages of MLP, viewers can also view highlights and replays of prior games.

12 Teams of Premier Level of MLP’s 2023 Season

Atlanta Bouncers: Owned by Steve Dawson, a former tennis pro and pickleball instructor. Players: Ben Johns (captain), Simone Jardim, Tyson McGuffin, Catherine Parenteau.
California BLQK Bears: Owned by Morgan Evans, a former tennis pro and pickleball coach. Players: Adam Stone (captain), Leigh Waters, Jay Devilliers, Anna Leigh Waters.
Chicago Windy City Smash: Owned by Zane Navratil, a professional pickleball player, and musician. Players: Zane Navratil (captain), Michelle Esquivel, Rob Cassidy, Irina Tereschenko.
Florida Smash: Owned by Kyle Yates, a professional pickleball player and four-time US Open champion. Players: Kyle Yates (captain), Lucy Kovalova, Frank Anthony Davis, Jessie Irvine.
Las Vegas Night Owls: Owned by Dave Weinbach, a professional pickleball player and multiple national champion. Players: Dave Weinbach (captain), Corrine Carr, Riley Newman, Lindsey Newman.
Los Angeles Mad Drops: Owned by Scott Moore, a professional pickleball player and senior pro champion. Players: Scott Moore (captain), Sarah Ansboury, Dekel Bar, Andrea Koop.
Milwaukee Mashers: Owned by Brian Staub.

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Events

MLP consists of four events held at different locations across the United States each season.
The first three events are regular season events where teams earn points based on match results.
The fourth event is the championship event, featuring the top eight Premier level teams and the top 16 Challenger level teams.
The first season of MLP started in March 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida, followed by events in Mesa, Arizona, San Clemente, California, and the championship in Austin, Texas.
The second season of MLP will begin in March 2023 in Orlando, Florida, followed by events in Nashville, Tennessee, Chicago, Illinois, and the championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Each event spans four days from Thursday to Sunday and includes matches from both Premier and Challenger levels.
Special events like celebrity pro-am matches and trick shot and third shot demos take place during the events.
Fans can enjoy clinics, exhibitions, vendors, food trucks, and entertainment.
Each event has its own prize pool based on team and player rankings.
The total prize money for each season amounts to $5 million, making MLP one of the most lucrative pickleball leagues in the world.

Matches

MLP matches are played on specially designed-courts with LED lighting, music, and live commentary.
Each match consists of five games: men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, and women’s singles.
Games are played to 15 points, win by two, with no-ad scoring.
The team with the most total points at the end of the match wins.
MLP matches are fast-paced, exciting, and competitive, lasting about an hour and a half.
Short breaks are provided between games.
Each team has one timeout per game to disrupt the opponents’ momentum or regroup and refocus.
Each team has one challenge per match to review close calls using video replay.
MLP follows the official rules of pickleball set by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), with minor modifications.
MLP uses a slightly heavier and faster ball than the standard pickleball ball.
MLP employs a scoring system based on rally scoring rather than side-out scoring.

Broadcasts

MLP matches are broadcasted live on YouTube, streaming platforms, and local TV stations in select markets.
Fans can enjoy replays and highlights of previous matches on MLP’s website and social media channels.
MLP broadcasts are produced with high-quality cameras, graphics, and sound, featuring expert commentators, interviews, and interactive elements like polls and fan comments.
MLP broadcasts aim to showcase the best of pickleball to a global audience, capturing the action, excitement, and stories of the players and teams.
Viewers can learn about the rules, strategies, and personalities of the sport through MLP broadcasts.
MLP broadcasts contribute to the growth and development of pickleball by promoting and educating viewers about the sport.

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FAQs

What is Major League Pickleball (MLP)?

Major League Pickleball (MLP) is a professional pickleball league that brings together some of the best players in the sport to compete in highly anticipated tournaments held across various locations in the United States. MLP showcases the skill, athleticism, and excitement of pickleball at its highest level.

How does Major League Pickleball work?

MLP operates on a season-based format, consisting of multiple events held at different venues throughout the country. Each season typically includes four events: three regular-season events and one championship event. During the regular season events, teams compete against each other, earning points based on their match results. The top teams then qualify for the championship event, where they compete for the coveted MLP title.

How are MLP matches structured?

MLP matches follow a structured format that showcases the different disciplines of pickleball. Each match consists of five games: men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, and women’s singles. The games are played to 15 points, with the requirement of winning by a margin of two points. The scoring system used in MLP employs no-ad scoring, intensifying the competition and keeping the matches fast-paced and captivating.

What is the prize money for MLP?

MLP offers an impressive prize pool for its players, with a total of $5 million up for grabs throughout each season. The prize money is distributed among the top-performing teams and players, motivating them to give their best and elevating the stakes of each match. The substantial prize money further solidifies MLP’s status as one of the most prestigious and rewarding pickleball leagues in the world.

How can fans watch MLP matches?

MLP understands the importance of engaging fans and providing them with an immersive viewing experience. Matches are broadcasted live on popular streaming platforms such as YouTube, allowing fans from around the world to tune in and witness the excitement. Additionally, some matches may be televised on local TV stations in certain markets, broadening the reach of the league. To ensure fans never miss a moment, MLP’s website and social media channels offer replays and highlights, enabling fans to relive the thrilling matches and catch up on any action they may have missed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Major League Pickleball (MLP) has transformed the sport with its thrilling matches, exceptional talent, and innovative approach. The league’s commitment to excellence and its ability to captivate audiences worldwide have elevated pickleball to new heights of excitement and professionalism. With each passing season, MLP continues to showcase the skill, athleticism, and passion of its players, fostering a sense of community and inspiring fans.

As MLP evolves and expands, the future of pickleball looks brighter than ever. Join the excitement and witness the remarkable journey of Major League Pickleball as it continues to shape the sport and leave a lasting impact.