by Kelly Campbell
2024 is off to a sour start for professional pickleball players as they must decide whether to take a 40% pay reduction or risk tarnishing their relationship with the MLP and PPA. After an overall rocky 2023, and a tumultuous few months as the two organizations handled an on-again-off-again merger, the MLP sent out an email to their players requesting that they consent to a 40% pay cut in 2024.
The year ahead will likely remain turbulent for professional pickleball with this pay cut request, numerous organization resignations, intended merger, and the claimed uncertain financial future for the two most prominent professional pickleball organizations.
Read on for more on the pay cuts, player response, and outlook for professional pickleball in the New Year.
MLP Asks Players to Take 40% Pay Cut
We thought we had moved past the effects of the MLP/PPA merger drama, but there’s seemingly more to discuss. When the merger deal initially fell through in August 2023, the MLP and PPA scrambled to sign the best players as quickly as possible. In doing so, there was one overall positive––players negotiated huge, competitive salaries for the first time. What was once seen as a blessing in disguise for players has now proven too good to be true.
On November 28, MLP reportedly sent out an email to its players requesting that they take a 40% pay cut citing an uncertain financial future for the organization. They confirmed that the PPA would be having similar conversations with their players. In other words, both organizations made some poor financial decisions, and now they’re asking players to pay for it.
In addition, the MLP announced that they would part ways with long-term Commissioner Brooks Wiley, which will likely evoke more uncertainty and change in the organizations this year.
“We have carefully studied the economics of the business and determined that certain changes need to be made to ensure a sustainable and viable business that will not only survive but thrive in 2024 and beyond for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
More specifically, the league proposed that in taking the pay cut, players would reduce their yearly number of workdays from 200 to 120 and salaries would be proportionally. Players would then be free to “monetize the other 245 days on the annual calendar any way [they] choose.” Consenting players would also be guaranteed 10 PPA event slots as a minimum.
Those who declined the proposal were reportedly told they would be placed in a “development program” consisting of obligatory camps, clinics, and appearances and would not be allowed to participate in PPA events.
Pro Players Stand Together
In response to the MLP letter, numerous professional pickleball players joined together to voice their concerns and express their discontent with unfair treatment by the MLP and PPA. The collective published a letter highlighting the unfair ask and alleged lies and fraud from the MLP and PPA. According to MLP champion and collective leader Jill Braverman, the collective represents the majority of MLP players and has hired counsel.
The letter notes, “We understand the economic reality of pay cuts, however, lies, threats, deceitfulness, false deadlines, and the refusal to honor written addendums and agreements have no place in the league that we know and love. If we are going to collaborate on contract modifications, we deserve honest answers to honest questions, and we have not received them.”
CNBC spoke to numerous players who chose to remain anonymous. They provided details about how immoral and dishonest the MLP has been. Here’s what CNBC found:
- “One player said they were threatened that if they don’t take the pay cut by the following day, the cuts would increase to 60% from 40%. The player requested additional information and for a written proposal which the league failed to provide him”.
- “Other players said they were threatened by MLP and PPA Tour leadership that if they didn’t take the cuts they may be scheduled to work in their developmental program coaching clinics or camps – even on their kids’ birthdays”.
- When asked whether they feel they have been treated fairly during the pay cut negotiation process, 89% of the respondents said no. The vast majority (92%) said that MLP leadership has failed to successfully answer the majority of their questions.
After the players’ collective letter, but not specifically in response to it, the MLP addressed players again. In this letter, they claim that over 85% of all 2023 Premiere Level Players” have accepted reductions in new agreements (Pickleball Union suggests that this is wildly inaccurate and that only 25-30% of players have actually agreed to the proposal).
Their final message threatened, “If the merger is not completed by Jan. 31, 2024, these new agreements will be null and void, and deals will revert to the contracts you signed with MLP or PPA, which will leave the future viability and sustainability of MLP uncertain.”
The Professional Pickleball Pause?
This whole situation is a huge blow for professional pickleball and what was set to be a prosperous pickleball year. In a world where pickleball popularity continues to grow exponentially, we should be able to expect even more progress in 2024, but these two organizations have failed.
The players are the kindling for success for these huge organizations and their financial backers, which is why they deserve fair, competitive salaries. Not only are these huge paychecks well-deserved and great for players, they’re also good for pickleball growth in general. Competitive pay that compares to that of other professional athletes is part of the next steps toward pickleball becoming a core professional sport, raising pickleball stakes on the professional sports scene, and increasing audience engagement.
Asking professional players to take a pay cut after finalizing and negotiating contracts––contracts that were only offered because of MLP/PPA drama in the first place–– seems incredibly misguided and disrespectful amidst such profound pickleball success last year. This will likely cause a ripple effect of distrust between players and leagues, tainting professional pickleball relationships and the sport as a whole for years to come.
The only positive we see is the comradery and collaboration amongst pickleball players. The collective that formed in response to this request will set a great example for any future squabbles. A unified voice will help to protect player rights and ensure equity for current and future pickleball stars. It’s great to hear from the players themselves, who at the end of the day care more about the sport than the paycheck, rather than billionaire investors at the top.
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