Zane Navratil: My Decision Signing With The MLP

 

Zane Navratil's Major Move: Pro Pickleball Player Signs Three-Year Deal with MLP A Game-Changing Decision for Pro Pickleball and Navratil's Career In a surprising turn of events, Zane Navratil, one of the most prominent figures in the world of professional pickleball, has made a groundbreaking decision to sign a three-year guaranteed deal with Major League Pickleball (MLP). Navratil's move is poised to reshape the landscape of the sport and underscores the ongoing evolution of professional pickleball. Navratil shared insights into his decision, highlighting trust as the pivotal factor on his social media platforms. Video Transcript

Good morning everybody. There has obviously been a huge shakeup in the professional pickleball world and I want to take you through my decision-making process in signing with Major League Pickleball.

It seems the prevailing narrative in some media is this is just a bidding war between billionaires over players, but I don't think that's fully accurate. I'll share my biased perspective as someone who signed with MLP.

Going back to 2020, both tours were slated to have full schedules in what would have been the first full year for the APP and PPA tours. But the first half was mostly cancelled due to COVID-19. In July 2020, I quit my job as an auditor to play pickleball full time, and played events on both the APP and PPA tours that year.

That winter, the PPA offered the first player contracts with appearance fees, which was an improvement for the pro game. But there was a catch - if you signed, you could only play 6 events outside the PPA, so it was mostly exclusive. I decided not to limit where I played, so declined to sign then.

In 2021, I played APP, PPA, and my first Major League Pickleball event. Early on I grew frustrated with the PPA over issues like prize money versus payouts, and late payments. There were promises things would improve so I continued playing a number of PPA events that year.

In early 2022 as the PPA was being acquired, they shifted to fully exclusive contracts, eliminating the 6 outside events you could previously play. Rumors and outright lies intensified. There was tons of confusion and false information. I heard a rumor I'd signed with the PPA, which was totally false.

A supposed agent falsely claimed to represent players' interests, then months later took a job with the PPA, confirming my suspicion he'd been working for them. So in 2022 I played just 1 PPA event, focusing on APP and MLP instead.

In late 2022, APP and MLP were aligned against the PPA in a bidding war over players. But then MLP and PPA surprisingly merged, leaving many players without deals they thought they had.

Last week I got a 3-year guaranteed MLP contract I couldn't pass up. Based on my past experiences, it was an easy choice. I trust I'll be treated and paid fairly by MLP, which I can't say for the PPA.

Ultimately it came down to trust. I believe and trust in MLP's vision. Though divided tours will temporarily hurt fans, I believe this split is like ripping off a bandaid - necessary for the sport's health. The MLP-PPA merger was flawed from the start.

I'm incredibly excited to move forward with MLP. This is great for the players. Though painful short-term, splitting now will strengthen pro pickleball long term. I can't wait to play with MLP in 2023 and start my new contract in 2024.

I know I'm biased, but that's my perspective on the recent shakeup. Let me know if you need any clarification!

Navratil's decision to join MLP was not solely based on financial considerations. He emphasized the significance of trust and his belief in MLP's vision. In his own words, "These contracts can say whatever, right? These contracts can say anything they want. Put it in writing. For me, that didn't even mean a tremendous amount at this point. It came down to a single thing, and that was trust." Navratil's move to MLP is seen as a major win for the organization, which has consistently earned his trust and provided a positive playing experience. It's not just a career choice for him but also a statement of support for an organization he believes in. In the short term, Navratil's decision may cause some division among fans, with players being split between competing tours. However, in the long run, he believes this move was necessary for the sport's growth and development. As Navratil eagerly looks forward to his future with MLP, he acknowledges that his decision is influenced by his biases, but it's one that could ultimately benefit the entire pickleball community. In conclusion, Zane Navratil's signing with Major League Pickleball marks a significant turning point in the world of professional pickleball. His journey through the tumultuous landscape of the sport has led him to a decision that he believes will not only secure his future but also contribute to the betterment of pickleball as a whole.