While the Pros Play, Major League Pickleball & PPA Tour Execs Are in Meetings

When I started this newsletter 10 months ago, I was using it as a platform to be an educational resource for my network to better understand the professional pickleball landscape. At that time, Mark Cuban was coming into pickleball and announced, in partnership with the PPA Tour, a VIBE Pickleball league to compete with the same team format that is Major League Pickleball.

After about a week following that announcement, Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour agreed to a strategic merger, as reported by CNBC, and have since had their pro players playing in both MLP event and on the PPA Tour.

Yesterday, MLP announced they have begun to sign top players to multi-year guaranteed contracts and are working on signing additional pros.

"Innovative elements of these contracts include a player off-season and enhanced financial security, in response to play feedback. We are confident that this revolutionary strategic shift will provide the best chance for long-term success," the announcement from MLP stated.

The pickleball world is now buzzing as to what this means for professional pickleball, the competing leagues, will VIBE Pickleball be coming back, and what this means for sponsors.

All of this is happening while the pro players are on the court, trying to stay focused, competing in the Kansas City Open.

Tune in all weekend long and watch the pros on Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios from the PPA Tour.

Stay tuned for more updates as we await more announcements from MLP and the PPA Tour.

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Announcement from Major League Pickleball:

Kansas City Open Streaming Schedule

Who to watch: with Collin Johns resting his injury, Ben Johns has been reunited with Matt Wright to play for the first time since they last played together in 2021. Will they make it to Championship Sunday?

Pickleball Happy Hour to benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation

Locally here in Ponte Vedra, Florida, I am excited to be partnering with the Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Network to host a Pickleball Happy Hour to benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation , an organization that is close to our hearts as they support families tackling childhood cancer.

As we honor the 6th Annual Jay Fund Day, we will be playing pickleball at The Yards , socializing with food and drinks and giving away exciting raffle prizes all to benefit The Jay Fund.

If you're in Ponte Vedra, we would love for you to join us in person. If you're interested in supporting the Jay Fund by providing a raffle prize or making a donation to their organization as they host Coach's Fitness Challenge throughout the month of September, please visit our website for more details:

Visit our website to purchase tickets for the event and for more details on how to join Finn's Fan Club to participate in Coach's Fitness Challenge

Our neighbors and friends are tackling childhood cancer like champs! Support sweet 6-year-old Finn by joining "Finn's Fan Club" and participating in Coach's Fitness Challenge. JOIN HERE.

Video message about the event:

Receive 15% off Volair Pickleball Paddles with code PICKLEBALLINTHESUN!

I've been riding my golf cart up to our local pickleball courts and playing with my Volair pickleball paddle! One of my favorite paddles yet. Visit their website and use code PICKLEBALLINTHESUN to receive 15% off your next purchase.