MLP 2025: $300K in Trades, But Will the New York Hustlers Thrive or Dive?
What's the Score?
The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season is underway, marked by significant team rebrands and player movements, including franchise name swaps between the D.C. Pickleball Team and the Brooklyn Aces. Several other teams like the Carolina Hogs, Phoenix Flames, and Nashville Chefs have also rebranded. These changes, coupled with the kickoff of the season in Orlando, set the stage for an intriguing year in professional team pickleball. A key storyline involves the impact of the separation of successful player duos and the implementation of a scoring change.
Hit it deeper!
The MLP offseason saw substantial activity, with teams strategically adjusting their rosters and identities. Notably, the ownership groups of the D.C. Pickleball Team and the Brooklyn Aces agreed to swap franchise name rights, meaning D.C. will now be known as the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, and vice versa. Al Tylis becomes the principal owner of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, aiming to build on D.C.'s quarterfinal finish in the 2024 Premier level playoffs with a roster including Rachel Rohrabacher and Riley Newman. Rich Kleiman takes over as principal owner of the DC Pickleball Team, hoping to leverage their roots in the D.C. community with a team featuring Mari Humberg.
Beyond this significant swap, other teams underwent rebrands, signalling a fresh start for the Carolina Hogs (formerly Carolina Pickleball Club), Phoenix Flames (formerly AZ Drive), and Nashville Chefs (formerly Frisco Pandas). The 2025 MLP season commenced in Orlando from April 24-27, providing the first look at these revamped teams and their performance. Pre-season analysis highlighted several storylines, including how the "break up" of prominent duos like Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau (now on different teams) would affect match outcomes. Additionally, the scoring change from rally to side out, while maintaining the Dreambreaker format, is anticipated to have a notable impact on match results. The Atlanta Bouncers, Chicago Slice, Miami Pickleball Club, and SoCal Hard 8s are among the teams moving up from the Challenger level to Premier, adding another layer of competition.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The significant rebranding and player movement within MLP for the 2025 season demonstrate the league's ongoing evolution and the strategic approaches of team ownership. The franchise name swap between D.C. and Brooklyn is a bold move, reflecting a focus on specific regional connections and fan bases. The success of these rebranded teams, particularly those moving up to the Premier level, will be a key narrative throughout the season. The impact of player separations and the new scoring system will also shape the competitive landscape and potentially lead to unexpected outcomes. As MLP continues to grow and refine its structure, these changes indicate a league striving for greater fan engagement and a more dynamic competitive balance.