Can Pro Players Finally Unite to Save Pickleball? | This Pickleball Life

  

Unveiling the Pickleball Power Play: PPA's Controversial Moves and the Call for Pro Player Unity

From Mid-Event Standards Shifts to Nationals' Turmoil: Inside the Pickleball Community's Struggle for Transparency

In the fast-paced and competitive world of professional pickleball, recent events have unfolded that demand attention. The Pickleball Players Association (PPA) has once again become the focal point of controversy, this time for changing deflection testing standards mid-event during Nationals. Jill Braverman and Kristin Walla delve into the intricacies of this surprising move, they unravel the mysteries behind why Nationals made its move to Dallas and what the future holds for this pinnacle pickleball tournament.

But the intrigue doesn't end there. This podcast episode explores the burning questions surrounding the blame game at the USA Pickleball (USAP) headquarters, where Nationals' debacle is leaving players and fans alike bewildered. The Indian Wells based duo shed light on how the PPA seems to consistently outmaneuver everyone in its orbit, including USAP, raising critical questions about fairness and transparency.

The narrative takes a personal turn as we hear from Jill, who spent over 40 hours working closely with Tom Dundon at the end of 2022 to facilitate the first merger between PPA and Major League Pickleball (MLP). Once an idolized businessman, Dundon now finds himself under scrutiny for the PPA's repeated unethical actions, particularly those involving Connor Pardoe. As the hosts explore the call for pro player unity, the question arises: Can collective bargaining be the force to finally drain the swamp of controversies that seem to engulf the pickleball industry?

In addition to the high-stakes drama, Jill and Kristin uncover the peculiar process behind selecting the three Challenger teams and provide updates on the enigmatic MLP San Clemente. As they navigate through these pickleball revelations, the overarching query emerges: Does the entire industry need a swamp drain?

Drama and Doubt Plague Professional Pickleball 1. 5:15 Grateful for Free Speech The hosts expressed gratitude for being able to freely critique tournament operations without threat of lawsuit, referencing an alleged lawsuit threat from PPA leadership over the show’s truthful commentary. 2. 10:09 Deflection Testing Manipulation Braverman and Walla highlighted manipulation of ball deflection testing standards by the PPA mid-tournament at the Herz Gold Cup after many paddles failed, calling into question the integrity of the organization’s commitment to fair play. 3. 14:30 Need for Player Union With players likely facing requests for amended contracts and pay cuts next season, the hosts emphasized the current moment as an opportunity for collective player bargaining power to affect change in league leadership. 4. 18:16 Why Nationals Moved from Indian Wells Nationals left its long-time Palm Springs home due to expiring contracts, challenging revenue splits, and tension with Indian Wells’ leadership, which prioritizes tennis and lacks enthusiasm for growing pickleball at the facility. 5. 21:19 Lack of Nationals Bidding Process Information suggests USAP Board Chair Robert QuickSilver rushed plans for PPA to take over Nationals without opening the opportunity up for bid per usual protocol. 6. 23:11 Failures at Dallas Nationals Disorganization, lack of communication, and absence of basic necessities like bathrooms and parking between USAP, PPA and local organizers explain disastrous player and fan experiences. 7. 26:26 Nationals Staying West in 2024 USAP CEO Mike Neely admitted this year’s event failed expectations and teased details on 2024 Nationals soon, which sources say will take place out west, possibly at USAP’s new National Training Center in Arizona instead of returning to Dallas. 8. 28:51 No Pros at Future Nationals? The PPA trademarked “Pickleball Boulevard” and have a conflicting event that weekend already advertised and selling tickets for next November, meaning simultaneous tournaments could prevent professional players from competing at Nationals. 9. 29:20 Dundon Outmaneuvers USAP Again Dundon convincing QuickSilver to hand over USAP’s crown jewel event without thoughtful preparation exemplified PPA leadership outwitting USAP to further Dundon’s hold on the sport. 10. 31:25 Physical Altercation at Nationals In another example of alleged double standards favoring PPA, Federico Staksrud’s police report after a physical incident with AJ Koller was suppressed by threats from Dundon of tour removal. 11. 36:48 Next Chapter for Professional Play With so much uncertainty and money at stake heading into next season, Braverman and Walla questioned whether the PPA and MLP will declare bankruptcy to void player contracts, merge tours, or uphold commitments. In closing, the hosts teased sharing disturbing allegations of sexual abuse and unfair treatment against key figures in prominent national pickleball organizations on next week’s podcast. As pickleball continues growth into a multi-billion dollar industry, this episode highlighted substantial growing pains still underway.

YouTube Time Code List

1. 5:15 Grateful for free speech | Speak Truth to Power
2. Sorry Not Sorry Shout Out
3. 10:09 Deflection Gate
4. 14:30 Player Union
5. 18:16 Why did Nationals move to Dallas in the first place?
6. 20:31 Indian Wells: The night Nationals ends
7. 20:45 Robert Quicksilver, USAP Chairmen Of The Board
8. 21:19 The Bidding Process
9. 23:11 Why was Nationals such a mess?
10. 25:23 USAP Statement
11. 26:26 Nationals 2024
12. 28:51 USAP/PPA - Will pros play at Nationals again?
13. 25:50 USAP Response to Nationals
14. 29:20 A prime example of USA Pickleball getting outmaneuvered by Tom Dundon (The Dundon-Verse Theme Song)
15. 31:25 Pro Drama at Nationals - Federico Staksrud filed a police report regarding a physical altercation with AJ Koller over what Federico said to Anna Leigh Waters during a MLP Dallas mixed doubles match (Sorry Not Sorry Podcast Incident Story)
16. 33:46 Rafa Hewett - You could be off my tour
17. 36:48 Winners & Losers
18. 40:00 DJB: Pro Tour Bankruptcy?
19. 45:20 Final MLP Goodbyes
20. 47:31 The Harvey Weinstein of Pickleball?