Major League Pickleball

Oct 08, 2022 | By: Mary Helen Sprecher 

The co-ed International Swimming League, Athletes Unlimited, World Team Tennis 

Last summer saw a new entry into the arena of elite, team-based sports leagues – and it might be the most surprising of all: Major League Pickleball.

The organization has a current total of 12 co-ed teams, made up of internationally recognized professional players.

The New York Times notes, “Like the three-on-three basketball league Big3, there are no home teams. Instead, all teams arrive in one city for a tournament. For each team matchup, there is a men’s and women’s doubles match and two mixed doubles matches, followed by a singles tiebreaker if necessary.”

The league has its own draft and a full array of sponsors. Prize money for this year was $1 million. And, the Times adds, MLP is only growing. The league has plans for six tournaments in 2023, in cities to be announced. Next year, teams will be competing to be considered the season winner, and though there was no overall winning team this year, one is expected to be chosen next year. Total prize money of $2.4 million is planned for next year.

ESPN notes that the league does not lack for star power on its underpinnings either. LeBron James and Maverick Carter's LRMR Ventures are headlining a new ownership group in Major League Pickleball. The group also includes investment firm SC Holdings, NBA champions Draymond Green and Kevin Love, the SpringHill Company CMO Paul Rivera, and Relevent Sports Group co-owner and CEO Daniel Sillman.

And, Deadspin poins out, that’s not all. Aside from Green, James, and Love, Drew Brees recently joined an ownership group in purchasing the Austin, TX-based Mad Drops Pickleball club that includes Lakers co-owner, Jim Buss.