Pickleball Industry in Chaos: Who will win? | This Pickleball Life (Ep. 20)

 

Pickleball's Tour Wars: Inside the Battle for Dominance Exclusive Insights from Jill Braverman, a Key Player in the MLP and PPA Showdown In the heart of the burgeoning world of professional pickleball, a fierce battle for supremacy is underway. Dubbed the "Tour Wars," this clash between two giants, Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), is not only reshaping the sport but also captivating fans and players alike. In her recent podcast, "This Pickleball Life (ES.20)" Jill Braverman, the former CEO of DUPR and MLP Chief Of Staff (2023 January-March), provided a captivating glimpse and insights into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and the future of pickleball.

Pickleball, once considered a backyard pastime, has exploded onto the professional sports scene, drawing in viewers, sponsors, and top-tier athletes. As the sport gains momentum, two major entities, MLP and PPA, have emerged as the primary drivers of its growth. For many, this battle may appear similar to the competition between the NFL and the AFL during the late 1960s, but with a unique pickleball twist. MLP, like the NFL of old, brings a structure and investment that have left an indelible mark on the sport. On the other hand, PPA, akin to the AFL's free-spirited ethos, embodies a different approach—one grounded in individualism and innovation. Speaking of the tour wars, Jill Braverman, who has worked closely with both organizations, shared her perspective. "The tour wars represent a critical juncture in pickleball's evolution. We're witnessing a dynamic interplay between established norms and groundbreaking ideas," she said. "It's the clash between team-based and individual play, structure versus spontaneity, and tradition battling innovation." The question on everyone's mind: Can these two entities coexist? Braverman hints at the possibility, "2022 saw the MLP successfully operate without many PPA signees. The sport can indeed support multiple organizations, but they must cater to the audience's desires. It's not about quantity; it's about delivering a compelling product."

• MLP/PPA Player Signing Arms Race

One major shift on the horizon is the transition to free agency, which will replace the traditional player draft. The approach mirrors that of professional basketball and football leagues, offering players the freedom to choose their teams and venues. Braverman sees this as a move toward player empowerment and a catalyst for enhancing the overall player experience. Additionally, the adoption of a home-and-away format for matches is expected to create more engaging narratives around teams and locations. Fans will soon have the chance to rally behind their hometown favorites, further enhancing the sport's appeal. While the prospect of player movements and salary min-maxes may seem familiar to sports enthusiasts, the sport itself remains unique. Braverman is emphatic that pickleball cannot afford to emulate tennis, a sport that has often been criticized for its long, drawn-out rallies and an overemphasis on individual play. Pickleball's charm lies in its fast-paced, entertaining rallies, and that's precisely what the fans want. "The key to success," Braverman notes, "is not to lose sight of what makes pickleball special. It's about meaningful points, highlights, fast hands, and, above all, joy. Pickleball must remain true to its essence while evolving strategically." As the tour wars intensify, one thing is clear: pickleball is on an unprecedented trajectory. With MLP and PPA at the helm, the sport is poised for continued growth, exciting innovations, and a captivating future. While the Tour Wars will undoubtedly shape the sport's landscape, the real winners are the fans and players who get to witness the evolution of pickleball from a backyard game to a professional sporting spectacle. One factor that could determine the outcome of the Tour Wars is the influx of tennis professionals into the pickleball scene. The PPA's signing of tennis luminaries like Tina Piznik and Jack Sock has raised eyebrows and generated intrigue. Tennis professionals bring a wealth of athleticism and competitive spirit to pickleball, but they must adapt to the sport's unique dynamics. Braverman offers her take on this development, "Bringing tennis pros into the fold is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it adds star power and excitement to pickleball. On the other, it risks turning pickleball into tennis lite. The challenge is to strike a balance, harnessing the strengths of tennis players while preserving the essence of pickleball." This sentiment resonates with many fans who are excited about the infusion of talent but wary of losing the qualities that make pickleball special. It's a fine line that both MLP and PPA must navigate to cater to their diverse audience. The transition to a more structured home-and-away format is also expected to reshape the pickleball landscape. This move could pave the way for passionate fan bases, akin to those in professional basketball and football. Braverman underlines the significance, "Creating home courts and passionate local fan bases is a game-changer. It not only provides a sense of belonging but also fuels rivalries and narratives that captivate fans." In essence, the pickleball Tour Wars are more than just a clash of organizations; they represent the struggle between tradition and innovation, structure and spontaneity, and team-based play versus individual prowess. While the battle rages on, both MLP and PPA are driven by a common goal: the growth and evolution of pickleball. As the sport matures, the real victors are the fans who get to witness this thrilling transformation and the players who will continue to elevate pickleball to unprecedented heights. The path forward may be uncertain, but one thing is undeniable: pickleball's journey from the backyard to the professional arena is nothing short of remarkable. In the words of Jill Braverman, "Pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a way of life. Let's preserve its essence while embracing the winds of change. The future of pickleball is bright, and we're all part of this incredible journey." The Tour Wars have only just begun, and with pickleball's passionate community at the helm, the sport's future is bound to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Podcast Time Code List

1. 0:02 - Intro
2. 0:14 - Emergency podcast to discuss pickleball "battle royale"
3. 0:26 - Background on tour wars and why it matters
4. 0:46 - Jill's perspective as newly signed MLP player
5. 1:31 - Tom Dundon vs. Steve Kuhn battle of personalities at top
6. 2:30 - Jill's involvement in PPA/MLP merger attempts
7. 3:40 - Vibe league emergence led to PPA/MLP merger
8. 4:24 - Different business philosophies of PPA (Tom) and MLP (Steve)
9. 5:50 - Merger broke down recently
10. 6:48 - PPA perceived as top heavy favoring top players
11. 7:45 - Jill had positive experiences with PPA in 2022
12. 8:40 - Shock at merger collapse
13. 9:54 - Competition between tours will raise level
14. 10:42 - Tom Dundon quote they'll end up in same place eventually
15. 11:09 - MLP perceived as leader currently
16. 12:01 - Many PPA-signed players are on MLP teams
17. 12:24 - Likely roster redrafts before next Atlanta event
18. 13:01 - Unclear if PPA would allow players to still play MLP
19. 14:10 - If PPA can block players legally from MLP
20. 15:46 - Players may not have signed full contracts yet
21. 16:37 - PPA unlikely to "lend" players to MLP
22. 18:29 - No obligation seen for players to play PPA
23. 19:06 - Speculation on how PPA could block players
24. 20:20 - Vibe teams status unclear if original deal didn't close
25. 21:50 - Best outcome may be for Vibe teams to leave MLP
26. 22:26 - Crazy valuations could continue for team sales
27. 23:25 - PPA buying teams and reselling a thought
28. 24:50 - Uphill battle seen for PPA to launch team league
29. 26:11 - MLP creating tour seen as less difficult
30. 27:21 - MLP likely to innovate vs. copy PPA model
31. 28:31 - Can singles be saved and made exciting
32. 29:48 - MLP needs personalities more than pure talent
33. 31:18 - Prediction of top tennis players switching
34. 32:25 - Comparison for player ranked #200 in tennis vs. pickleball
35. 34:04 - Doubles for income and lifestyle better than tennis
36. 35:09 - Contracts doubled or more from 2021 to 2022
37. 35:34 - Steve Kuhn prioritizes quality of life
38. 36:07 - Example of non-pickleball executive's views
39. 37:14 - Business following tennis not seen as good model
40. 38:01 - Personality and entertainment matter more than pure skill
41. 39:27 - Most personalities seen as remaining with MLP
42. 40:12 - 2022 MLP success without full PPA player participation
43. 40:52 - Full collection of top talent not critical
44. 41:36 - Interest in new tennis converts performance
45. 42:26 - Avoid tennis model to grow business
46. 43:12 - Golf comparison of formats coexisting
47. 43:42 - Integrated pathway system a positive
48. 44:49 - MLP likely to look more NFL/NBA
49. 45:03 - Trades and roster shuffle matches viewer interest
50. 45:49 - Conferences could develop
51. 46:11 - New facilities likely built
52. 46:25 - Dilution argument seen as wrong
53. 47:10 - Final thoughts
54. 48:16 - Appreciate intimate insights

Pickleball in Turmoil as Rival Tours Battle for Sport's Future

The world of professional pickleball was thrown into chaos this past weekend as a shock move by the upstart Major League Pickleball seeking exclusive contracts sparked a frenzied bidding war with the incumbent Professional Pickleball Association.

"I got choked up," said Jill Braverman, a top-20 ranked player who recently signed a 3-year exclusive deal with Major League Pickleball after working as Chief of Staff for the league. "I fire shot three quick text messages to Ann Worcester, who manages owner relations for MLP."

At issue is whether pickleball will become a team-driven spectacle like many major sports leagues, or follow tennis with a tour focused on individual stars. The philosophies of the leaders behind each tour are clashing as battles rage over player contracts.

On one side is Steve Kuhn, the charismatic founder of MLP and Dupr, who preaches growing pickleball through innovative formats like rally scoring and a team league. "Steve's excitable. Larger than life," said Braverman, who previously served as CEO of Dupr under Kuhn. "He plays business on a 3D chessboard."

Opposite is Tom Dundon, the hedge fund manager behind the PPA who Braverman calls "hyper rational" and intent on modeling pickleball after tennis. "Fundamentally if two businesses can't merge, you have to look at the personalities there," she explained.

Braverman helped broker a merger between the tours last year, only to see it collapse recently. "When I heard about this, my sorrow was quickly replaced by acceptance that competition is good," she said.

The bidding war saw salaries skyrocket, with deals doubling or more from last year. "We're seeing things quadrupled and now into the seven figures guaranteed," Braverman revealed.

Most shockingly, Major League Pickleball provided funding to break contracts of many PPA players. "The PPA is throwing around more money. But rapport, vision and philosophy matter," said Braverman.

The defection of top pros and scramble to sign players led to chaos last weekend, according to Braverman. "Everyone's on their phones, everyone's got their own corner on the phone," she described. "It was crazy, the amount of phone calls."

Braverman expects team rosters will need complete redrafting for MLP's next event. As for the sport's future, she sees the innovator Kuhn having the edge over Dundon's plan to replicate tennis.

"It's not what the viewers want," Braverman stated. "People love team sports. Pickleball is joy."

The differing philosophies extend to how each tour hopes to build star power. "The PPA rewards individual success more," explained Braverman. "Whereas in the team format, Major League Pickleball stars are less guaranteed to win."

She cites examples like LeBron James, where supporting cast and teamwork matter. "In pickleball, Ben Johns and AnnaLeigh Waters are the undisputed individual stars right now. But my team beat Ben's team at MLP, even though we were worse on paper."

Braverman suggests fans gravitate more toward excitement than pure skill. "Do they want to see the best men's doubles team hit 104 dinks, or meaningful points and highlights?" she asks.

The team concept also provides camaraderie lacking in individual sports like tennis. "I've played all these PPA events, and I don't see the same joy from the players that you do at MLP events," described Braverman.

Signs point toward Kuhn's vision winning out, as Major League Pickleball has drawn far more top pros so far. But Braverman expects convergence eventually.

"I do believe we'll end up in the exact same place, it's just going to take a hell of a lot more money and time," she said, quoting Dundon himself on the matter.

For now, Braverman is most excited by what the battle means for those playing the sport. "Pickleball is now a professional sport. People can make a living playing a game they love," she said.

Her hope is that competitive tension lifts up pickleball as a whole, regardless of which tour or philosophy prevails. "I think this is ultimately good for the sport, the fans and the players," Braverman stated in closing.