Cut Costs or Die

 

Pickleball Leagues Slash Player Salaries by 40% Rival MLP and PPA leagues make drastic cuts in effort to curb inflated player contracts

Jimmy Miller and Tyler Loong discuss the recent announcement by Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) to cut player salaries by 40% in an effort to ensure the financial sustainability of the leagues after rapidly inflating player contracts over the past year. The King of The Court Podcast begin with recapping the events of the "pickleball wars" that took place in August 2023, where the two rival leagues battled to sign top players to exclusive contracts after merger negotiations initially broke down. Both leagues spent exorbitant amounts, often $200k or more per player, trying to one-up each other. The leagues eventually decided the spending was unsustainable and resumed merger discussions. In the latest development, MLP sent a letter to its contracted players announcing a 40% salary cut along with a reduction of required MLP event/promotional days from 200 to 120, proportionally tied to the pay cut. PPA also began calling players to inform them of pay reductions. The cuts come right before the finals of the two rival leagues. MLP also announced the firing of Commissioner Brooks Wiley, leaving players without their main point of contact and advocate within the league. The hosts analyze the cuts from both a player and owner perspective. While devastating for players relying on pickleball as a career, the cuts may be necessary to ensure league viability 10-15 years down the road. However, players deserve more transparency and input, rather than blanket decisions handed down. A players union likely won't work due to low revenue and high salaries, but a player representative could help find compromise. Owners support cuts to increase long-term franchise values. Players are given until December 1st to accept cuts or be relegated to MLP-only play. The hosts debate scenarios like boycotting events or starting a competing league but acknowledge the importance of a thriving pro league. Ultimately the ball is in the players' court to unify and use whatever leverage they have to negotiate, before accepting reductions and putting faith back into the hands of league management that already abandoned commitments to players.

Media List

• CNBC SPORTS Major League Pickleball asks players to take 40% pay cut on the back of rapid growth