The James Ignatowich ☄️ Who Will Come Out on TOP❔

Pickleball Tour Wars: James Ignatowich's Insights on MLP vs. PPA

In the world of pickleball, a fierce battle is brewing between two major leagues: Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Pickleball Players Association (PPA). With players and fans divided, James Ignatowich shared his thoughts on this tour war on his current podcast episode.

Ignatowich, known for his candid and often humorous takes on the game, provided a unique perspective on the ongoing rivalry. He began by addressing the age-old debate of playing against the best players in the world. "The PPA is interesting because I do think that there is that argument about being able to play the best player in the world," he noted.

However, he didn't stop there. Ignatowich acknowledged the MLP's approach, saying, "But I also see the MLP side of it. It's like, 'I'll play the next 35, you know?'"

The discussion then turned to the chatter and possible defections from both sides. Ignatowich expressed the concerns some players are facing: "People got signed under duress, and so they were rushed to sign. Now, they're having second thoughts and they're not sure what to do."

The topic of consequences for defection was also touched upon. "I was told by MLP that if anybody defects, they will never play an MLP again," Ignatowich revealed, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

One of the significant moments in the interview was the mention of Jimmy Miller. Ignatowich praised Miller's contribution to the sport, calling him "probably one of the most famous people in the sport now."

The interview continued with Ignatowich sharing insights on the strategies of both leagues. He observed, "Major League Pickleball was like, 'Hey, we want better competition; we want to go with quality players but a little more maybe quantity.'"

As for the current state of the tour war, Ignatowich gave a slight edge to Major League Pickleball, citing their impressive depth. He noted that while PPA has its star players in Ben Johhs and Anna Leigh Waters, MLP dominates in terms of depth.

However, Ignatowich didn't shy away from discussing the challenges ahead. He raised questions about the financial sustainability of these leagues and the impact of recent developments on the game's future. "It's going to be tougher to make a profit because PPA is claiming that their money is coming from Pickleball Central," he mentioned.

As the interview continued, Ignatowich explored the player dynamics and rivalries within the leagues. He humorously remarked on his personal rivalry with Christian Alshon, who recently made a move to PPA. "I told him, 'You're my favorite player to play against, don't take this from me,'" he quipped.

In conclusion, James Ignatowich's insights shed light on the complexities of the MLP vs. PPA tour war. The competition between these two leagues not only impacts the players but also raises questions about the future of pickleball. As fans and players eagerly await the outcomes, one thing is clear: the sport is experiencing a significant shift, and James Ignatowich's commentary adds a unique perspective to the ongoing pickleball saga.

1. 0:00 - The James Ignatowich Show Episode 32 Trailer 🎬
2. 0:44 - Jimmy Miller introduction 👏
3. 1:42 - MLP vs. PPA... Who's winning? 🤔
4. 5:18 - Is the MLP's depth better than the PPA's❓
5. 7:36 - High player price tags 💲
6. 9:16 - James' favorite player to face 🤣
7. 13:16 - Are these contracts all guaranteed? 👀
8. 17:40 - MLP's individual tourney's 1️⃣
9. 23:18 - Will there be player defections? 🧐
10. 24:52 - Will there always be an asterisk winning in MLP with no Ben Johns? 🤷‍♀️

Claude Time Code List

0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Jimmy Miller introduction 0:53 - Nothing going on in pickleball currently 1:44 - Have to address MLP vs PPA battle 2:00 - Jimmy signed with MLP, most premier players did 2:14 - 30 of 48 premier players signed with MLP 2:23 - MLP has edge in quantity and depth 2:45 - But PPA has Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters 3:17 - Slight edge to MLP due to depth 3:24 - Previously knock on PPA was Ben/Anna Leigh dominance 3:59 - Even with gambling deal, betting on Ben as huge favorite not appealing 4:20 - Always had good time on PPA tour 5:13 - Comments about Connor Pardo cut 5:19 - Connor good basketball player apparently 5:58 - Christian Alshon as James' favorite player to face 6:07 - James 12-0 against Christian Alshon, who then went to PPA 6:35 - James watches his wins against Christian repeatedly 7:04 - Will miss beating Christian with him now in PPA 7:38 - Needs new player to beat on in MLP 8:16 - Contract values getting very high 8:27 - Many companies operate at losses initially 8:55 - PPA paying from pickleball business, not event revenue 9:26 - Jimmy jokingly floats his name for a deal 9:56 - Weaker players now directly into main draws 10:13 - Women's singles could just be exhibition with Anna Leigh on Sundays 10:49 - Depth diminished on PPA side in various events 11:41 - MLP will have exciting individual tournaments without Ben/Anna Leigh 12:03 - People kind of over Ben/Anna Leigh's dominance 12:55 - Being so much better than everyone would get boring 13:52 - Ben will get even more bored if JW leaves 14:20 - JW/Dylan not even pushing Ben that much currently 15:02 - Excited for Tyler Loong's deal and development 15:45 - Tyler's game has leveled up recently 16:51 - Weaker early matches will help Tyler on PPA tour 17:21 - PPA went for Ben/Anna Leigh over depth 18:23 - Chatter about possible player defections from both tours 18:59 - MLP said defectors can't play MLP ever again 19:24 - Understands MLP wanting to set boundaries 20:08 - Asterisk always for winning MLP event without Ben present 20:56 - If player emerges to dominate MLP, it would create needed debate 21:49 - Would need to be a breakout young player probably 22:26 - Would also face tougher competition in MLP 23:02 - Hopes a rivalry debate emerges 23:27 - Players need to stop taking calls, focus on their decision 24:07 - MLP should start announcing plans to engage players

24:34 - Players need to find partners, focus on 2024

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