Pickleball's Biggest Announcement Ever | The Feud Concludes? - MLP v PPA...

 

Rivals Join Forces in New Era for Professional Pickleball

Merger between PPA and MLP brings unity after years of fractured competition

In a long-anticipated move, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have announced a full merger of the two formerly rival tours. The blockbuster deal brings together the top male and female players in the fast-growing sport under one roof for the first time.

"This is what's best for pickleball," said insider Jimmy Miller on the "King Of The Court" podcast discussing the merger. "It's good to get all the players together - mom and dad are back together."

The merged entity will be owned 50/50 by PPA and MLP. The two tours will continue to run events separately, with PPA managing pro tournaments and MLP running team competitions. But it will operate as one organization sharing staff, infrastructure, and finances.

"For the first time in our complicated histories, it is truly a merger of equals," the announcement stated. After weeks of aggressively competing for players, Miller explained the merger will provide much-needed "stability" and allow the new league to "maximize sponsorship revenue."

But the blockbuster deal is not without controversy, as players who signed early with one tour for less money now see rivals earning over three times more. "There's a level of unfairness," Miller noted, while co-host Tyler Loong acknowledged "life isn't fair."

Multi-million dollar contracts were used by both tours to lure players from the other side. But with no competition left, salaries are expected to level off. As Miller bluntly assessed, "They don't have to offer more money now."

While the merger brings unity, some players may push back. "I think we might see a boycott or mutiny," said Miller, citing player dissatisfaction with management and contract discrepancies.

Loong predicted challenges if salaries aren't adjusted: "That's when you might see the boycott."

But for now, the superseded rivalry seems destined for the history books. "I think this is good for the sport," Miller reiterated. After months of fighting for pickleball supremacy, the bitter enemies are finally joining forces to grow the game they love.

Podcast Discussion Topics List 

1. 00:00 - 00:45 - Introduction and announcement of PPA and MLP merger
2. 00:45 - 01:14 - Explanation that PPA and MLP are now one merged entity with 50/50 ownership
3. 01:14 - 01:57 - Board seats and ownership breakdown
4. 01:57 - 02:29 - New company to be formed to own PPA and MLP
5. 02:29 - 03:13 - PPA to continue running tour events, MLP running team events
6. 03:13 - 03:49 - $50 million investment from MLP owners
7. 03:49 - 04:16 - Contracts for players expected to be honored
8. 04:16 - 05:03 - Steve Kuhn's role and focus on amateur pickleball
9. 05:03 - 05:28 - Hiring a new CEO to run merged entity
10. 05:28 - 06:19 - Player reactions and some frustration over contract differences
11. 06:19 - 07:26 - Reasons for the merger and bringing top players together
12. 07:26 - 08:01 - Name of new league and structure
13. 08:01 - 08:46 - 2023 season continuing as planned
14. 08:46 - 09:07 - Some players planning to boycott upcoming MLP event
15. 09:07 - 09:58 - Format and number of events for 2024 season
16. 09:58 - 10:48 - Contracts expected to be honored but new draft system
17. 10:48 - 11:38 - Players left undrafted but still paid
18. 11:38 - 12:15 - Standards for team ownership and promotion
19. 12:15 - 12:51 - Amateurs still able to play tour events
20. 12:51 - 13:28 - Need for player union and potential leader
21. 13:28 - 13:57 - Preventing future fracturing and Steve Kuhn's power
22. 13:57 - 14:27 - Most upset players and reactions
23. 14:27 - 14:58 - Future of Vibe Sportswear
24. 14:58 - 15:32 - No more gum chewing during podcast
25. 15:32 - 16:03 - Overall assessment of the merger
26. 16:03 - 17:13 - Connor Pardo's continued role and player reactions
27. 17:13 - 17:52 - Efficiency of PPA events versus MLP
28. 17:52 - 18:28 - Expected increase in tournament costs
29. 18:28 - 19:07 - Player contracts being honored for 2023 season
30. 19:07 - 19:58 - Planning to have 20-35 total events in 2024
31. 19:58 - 20:48 - Rally scoring versus sideout scoring still being evaluated
32. 20:48 - 21:25 - No relegation for MLP teams in 2024
33. 21:25 - 22:27 - Allowing teams to sign extra players and have farm systems
34. 22:27 - 23:01 - Legacy players still able to play APP events
35. 23:01 - 23:42 - Logistics of running amateur team events
36. 23:42 - 24:04 - All MLP teams expected to step up promotion and support
37. 24:04 - 24:58 - Some early investors may need to sell stakes in teams
38. 24:58 - 25:23 - Jimmy's future career prospects with no more drama
39. 25:23 - 25:57 - Appreciation for Tom Dundon's negotiating skills
40. 25:57 - 26:36 - Options for increasing capital if needed by MLP teams
41. 26:36 - 27:21 - Player options if upset about contract differences
42. 27:21 - 28:22 - All players benefiting from raises and new perks
43. 28:22 - 29:10 - Need for outside leader to start player union
44. 29:10 - 29:58 - Potential leaders for a player union
45. 29:58 - 30:43 - Preventing future fracturing of organizations
46. 30:43 - 31:09 - Biggest player contract expenditures
47. 31:09 - 31:57 - Most surprised and upset players about merger
48. 31:57 - 32:45 - Future status of Vibe Sportswear
49. 32:45 - 33:32 - No more gum chewing during podcast
50. 33:32 - 34:20 - Overall assessment that merger is good
51. 34:20 - 35:38 - Masterful negotiating by Tom Dundon 
52. 35:38 - 36:57 - Final thoughts and encouragement to reach out with questions