The Joy and Drama of Professional Pickleball: A Deep Dive into the World of Major League Pickleball
Intro (0:00) Pickleball, once considered just a casual backyard pastime, has exploded into a full-fledged professional sport over the past few years. This rapid growth is evidenced by the creation of Major League Pickleball (MLP) in 2021, which seeks to bring pickleball into the mainstream through star players, big media deals, and riveting team competitions. On their podcast “This Pickleball Life,” pro player Jill Braverman and her partner Kristin Walla provide an inside look into the glamorous yet dramatic world of pro pickleball. With Braverman fresh off a championship win and MVP honors in MLP’s 2023 inaugural season, and Walla currently recovering from knee surgery, their back-and-forth banter reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes details about life on tour amidst pickleball’s meteoric rise. In this special episode recapping MLP’s second event of the season in Atlanta, the hosts pull no punches discussing hot topics like the league’s origins, sexism in commentating, controversial player deals, heckling controversies and more. For pickleball newcomers and enthusiasts alike, their candid perspectives encapsulate the joy, growth pains and unlimited potential of pickleball as it continues its quest to become America’s next great pastime. Come to Mexico & Baby's First Steps (1:15) The episode opens on a lighthearted note, with Braverman inviting listeners to join her pickleball retreat in Mexico coming up soon. She jokes they have two open spots after a couple late backouts from the trip. Braverman then shifts to a more personal update, sharing that her podcast co-host Walla recently had knee surgery but is progressing well through physical therapy. In fact, Walla proudly shares she is now off crutches and took her first steps the same week her baby niece Abigail took her own first steps. “It was really going down to the wire there on the walking front,” jokes Walla, as she and her niece were on parallel journeys to their “first steps” post-surgery and infancy. Improve with The Rule of Thirds (5:18) Transitioning into more hard-hitting pickleball strategy advice, Braverman introduces the idea of the “rule of thirds” for improving your game. She explains this rule means you should play pickleball with three distinct types of partners: 1/3 of the time with players better than you 1/3 with players at your same level 1/3 with players below your level
Braverman elaborates you can practice different skills against each level. For example, try new things against weaker players but focus on steadiness against stronger players. Walla agrees the diversity of partners is key, noting “there’s always something to be gained” from each grouping. Their rapport and insights bring expertise alongside accessibility, empowering pickleball players of all abilities to strategically enhance their play. T-Swift Explains the Tour Wars (7:50) In one of the episode’s most entertaining moments, Walla unveils a musical parody she wrote and recorded dramatizing the rift between Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tour. Mimicking Taylor Swift’s signature style, she croons tongue-in-cheek lyrics recapping the messy politics as the rival leagues battled for dominance in the sport. Poking fun at real-life figures like MLP founder Steve Kuhn and PPA commissioner Connor Pardoe, Walla’s parody perfectly encapsulates the real drama that unfolded as pickleball’s governance fractured. The song demonstrates her wit and willingness to find levity amidst internal chaos that threatened to derail the sport’s momentum. Who Really Won in the Merger? (13:30) With the leagues now reunified just prior to the Atlanta event, Braverman and Walla analyze who emerged as winners and losers from the truce. They suggest the players themselves benefitted most, with “grossly out of line” discrepancies in league revenue versus player salaries finally getting re-addressed. Walla argues MLP clearly won the feud with the PPA, referencing three key mistakes she believes the PPA made:
- PPA negotiated too strong of a deal for themselves initially
- They gave up their players to MLP too soon before finalizing the merger
- They overspent signing players in a “arms race” against MLP
The hosts’ reasoned, multi-faceted dissection implies a shift towards player power and fairness may finally occur now that the leagues merged. With star players like Braverman and her partner Walla leading these discussions, the tides seem to be turning towards athletes receiving their fair share compared to many other major sports leagues. What Will Pro PB Look Like in 2024? (20:10) Sharing her inside scoop on future plans, Braverman predicts MLP will likely experiment with smaller regional events leading up to “Finals” competitions involving top teams. She expects 24 teams currently to potentially expand to 30-36 teams, comparing to team numbers in leagues like the NFL and NBA. Walla adds she anticipates more fluid partnerships and innovative draft strategies, noting the previous system of Premier vs. Challenger leagues has dissolved. She sees positives in constant evolution, applauding MLP for “always trying to change enough.” Their educated projections imply pickleball pros and fans alike can expect even more exciting developments as the league continues maturing. The hosts speak with infectious enthusiasm about these potential next steps in pickleball’s professionalization. MLPalooza & MLP Australia (25:40) Switching gears, the hosts recap MLPalooza, an MLP-hosted paddle festival coinciding with Atlanta. Braverman charmingly shares her own team’s experience at the event, joking about nearly losing to league founder Steve Kuhn but prevailing against other pros. She then notes her teammate “Sanj” actually represented newly launched MLP Australia, which currently features just four teams. Though details remain limited, Braverman seems excited by this international expansion and its future implications. “I’m really excited to see some MLP action internationally,” says Braverman. “It’ll be interesting to see if some American-based players end up going over there to play.” The Secret to Bloodflow: Bemer (31:55) In a segment sponsored by Bemer pulsating electromagnetic field therapy, the hosts enthusiastically promote the product’s benefits for injury recovery. Walla shares her doctor was amazed by her rapid surgical recovery, which she attributes to using Bemer. Braverman explains the science simply, joking it improves your bloodflow like “Drano for your veins.” Their clear endorsement provides an interesting detour into how cutting-edge technologies aid world-class athletes. For two women constantly pushing their bodies to the limit pickleball-wise, their devotion to Bemer signals its value for injury prevention and recovery.
--------------------------------
Recap & Hot Takes: MLP Atlanta (34:50) Delving into competition specifics, Braverman positively reflects on playing her first event with a custom pickleball paddle bearing her name and logo on it. Despite minimal practice time adjusting to the new paddle, she felt comfortable with its grip and playability. However, Braverman’s review of her team’s performance in Atlanta trends more negative, as she expresses frustration with their quarterfinal exit. She confesses this disappointed her after winning the MLP Championship and MVP honors last season. Braverman singles out her Spanish partner Jaume Martinez Vich for high praise, saying: “He is electrifying in the way he plays. His personality is one of a kind. He is funny, self-deprecating but he still has that ‘I’m the boss’ swagger.” Her breakdown, peppered with both kudos and constructive criticism, encapsulates the consummate pro mentality Braverman brings to continually perfecting her game. Kyle Yates: Challenger Levels Have Risen (40:30) Analyzing her team’s upset loss, Braverman points to teammate Kyle Yates underestimating the Challenger field’s talent level as a factor. She notes several Challenger players succeeded mightily after getting opportunities in the premiere division. “The levels have risen,” proclaims Braverman. “Simply attacking the girl over and over in mixed doubles like that’s not gonna work.” She emphasizes keeping an open, adaptable mindset rather than assuming lesser teams will be easy victories. Bringing this knowledge from her podcast to Yates himself will surely help him improve going forward. What Was the Secret to Success in MLP Atlanta? (49:00) When discussing why the Orlando Squeeze ultimately won the Atlanta event, Braverman pinpoints their draft strategy of selecting two top female players with their initial picks. She notes the top five finishing teams all went for two strong early female picks, speculating the female player pool may drop off more quickly than the men. Her belief that draft strategy greatly impacted results shows Braverman’s high pickleball IQ. Though she competed against the Squeeze, she gives credit where due, singling drafting as a key to their breakthrough victory. Sexist Commentators (51:40) Never one to shy away from calling out problems in the sport, Braverman launches into grievances about sexist commentating she observed in Atlanta. She recalls one male commentator crediting Andrei Daescu for “playing big” late in a mixed match, while he dismissed Anna Bright’s contributions as “just keeping the ball in play.” Braverman argues this represents an egregious double standard, as commentators would praise a male’s fire and combativeness but critique women for the same. She also shares past experiences of facing sexist questioning about playing positions as a female. “I’m just so tired of the double standards,” declares Braverman. Her willingness to confront sexism directly reflects her emergence as a brave female voice shaping pickleball’s future trajectory. Who Was Heckling Riley Newman in the Finals? (59:08) Never short on juicy gossip, the hosts reveal a tidbit told to them about controversial heckling aimed at Riley Newman during the Atlanta finals. Braverman shares that MVP Anna Bright, had a vocal section of fans including her boyfriend James Ignatowich. According to the claim, Ignatowich continually targeted Newman with taunts until MLP representatives intervened. Braverman acknowledges fun banter often occurs but believes personal attacks cross the line and lack class. Once again, the hosts demonstrate their nuanced view of pickleball’s finer points of sportsmanship and spectator etiquette. Braverman concludes fans should feel free to get fired up cheering, just as players channel their intensity on the court. Fights! Fights! Fights! Is PB Turning into Hockey? (1:01:20) In a humorous exchange on player behavior, Walla asks Braverman if pickleball risks devolving into constant fighting like hockey. Braverman clarifies she hopes things never escalate to actual punch-throwing. However, she sees value in pickleball maintaining its unique fiery personalities and emotional displays. She believes other sports handicap players’ abilities to showcase their passion and intensity during competition. “I don’t think anyone needs to be in anyone’s face,” says Braverman. “But chirping is not fighting—it’s gamesmanship, motivation and fun.” True to form, Pickleball’s biggest star sees room for the sport to modernize without fully sanitizing the frenetic energy that makes it so fun to play. Who Was the Most Impressive at MLP Atlanta? (1:02:00) When asked which players impressed them most in Atlanta, Walla first compliments Anna Bright’s skill and leadership. She commends Bright for captaining her team to the finals despite being the youngest on the roster. Shifting to other pros, the hosts praise standout performances from emerging talents like Ali Phillips and Megan Fudge. They also credit mixed doubles ace Ewa Radzikowska for her nearly unblemished MLP record across multiple events. Ultimately, Braverman and Walla spotlight Bright as their MVP for her well-rounded excellence powering her team to a finals victory. They speculate he may be poised to overtake Irena Tereshenko as the consensus “GOAT” in MLP’s eyes. New Scoring Rule: No Freeze (1:09:00) Delving into their biggest gripe regarding gameplay, the hosts analyze MLP’s new scoring tweak eliminating the “freeze” at 18-20 for the trailing team. They feel this excessive scoring leniency often enables less deserving teams to comeback from late deficits. “It’s a little bit of a heartbreaker,” says Walla, noting how frequently matches now extend to 26-28 points, well past the standard 21. Braverman understands the motivation to increase drama, but argues it may go too far diminishing the better team’s edge. She brainstorms other options like returning to classic 21-win-by-one format. Consistent with most sports debates, the ideal scoring system remains subject to constant debate. But Braverman and Walla present rational concerns about the current MLP model potentially needing retooling. Creating Team Chemistry (1:12:55) With team events making up MLP’s DNA, the hosts touch on team chemistry as a crucial yet sometimes overlooked factor. They reference examples like the Seattle Pioneers and SoCal Hard Eights exceeding expectations, which they attribute to great internal chemistry. Braverman recounts how her MLP Championship-winning Dallas squad similarly gelled nicely, despite looking less talented “on paper.” She says smooth internal dynamics and communication were more important than big names. As a player herself, Braverman provide invaluable firsthand perspective on the teamwork, connectivity and camaraderie that lifts good rosters to greatness. MLP Reactions (1:18:00) In wrapping up their Atlanta recap, the hosts share a few critiques on the broader event production. Braverman felt Challenger matches lacked consistent energized crowds compared to earlier tournaments. Walla adds the commentating was occasionally lackluster, joking about one announcer mangling players’ names in pivotal late-round matches. They both emphasize a desire for heightened professionalism as the league continues maturing. However, their closing tone remains upbeat looking ahead to upcoming tournaments back on their West Coast home turf. For a lifelong athlete like Braverman, the thrill of competition and chasing titles still trumps any quibbles about the league’s operations. Outro (1:18:40) As Braverman signs off, she reminds listeners that amidst all the drama, politics and chaos swirling through pro pickleball, the sport at its core still represents joy, camaraderie and personal growth. For her and Walla, that communal positivity explains the incredible lifelong passion that shines through in analyzing matches, developing strategies, and helping fellow players improve. They envision pickleball as not just a professional pursuit, but a source of meaning, connection and delight in people’s lives. That mindset of keeping pickleball fun and inclusive, no matter how big the sport gets, makes “This Pickleball Life” stand out in the crowded podcast marketplace. Their infectious rapport reflects the best of pickleball culture – where weekend warriors and pros alike feel part of one extended, quirky, paddle-wielding family.
No comments:
Post a Comment