MLP Slashes Waiver Periods, Sends Bid Money to Losing Teams in Policy Shift

What's the Score?

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced a significant update to its Waivers policy for the 2025 season, marking the second adjustment since the initial competition rules were released. The revised policy features two key changes: a reduction in the number of Premier Level Waiver Periods from four to two, and a change in how waiver bid amounts are handled, now being paid to the team that loses the claimed player rather than to the league itself.

Hit it deeper!

Initially, MLP had announced four Premier Level Waiver Periods spread throughout the season, following specific MLP events. These waiver periods were intended to facilitate player movement and ensure that deserving players had opportunities for playing time, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall quality of the league. However, these plans drew some concerns from team sources. Two specific issues were raised: the perceived frequency of waiver periods, potentially leading to excessive roster turnover, and the provision that payment for a player claimed through waivers went to the league.

In response to this feedback, MLP has streamlined the waiver process, reducing the Premier Level Waiver Periods to just two. The important dates for these two periods are as follows:

Premier Level Waiver Period #1: Primarily occurring in the second week of May, with key deadlines for teams to declare 5th and 6th players (Tue, May 6), the league to share the available player pool (Wed, May 7), teams to submit waiver bids (Thu, May 8), MLP to share the waiver selection order (Fri, May 9), and the actual waiver process taking place on Mon, May 12.

Premier Level Waiver Period #2: Scheduled for mid-June, with a similar timeline starting with teams declaring players (Tue, June 10) and culminating in the waiver process on Mon, June 16.

A notable change is the redirection of waiver bid amounts. Previously, if a Premier team successfully claimed a player from another team's 5th or 6th roster spot, the bid amount would be paid to the league. Under the new policy, these waiver bid amounts will now be paid directly to the team from which the player was claimed. This adjustment addresses the earlier concern and is generally viewed positively by team sources.

The World Pickleball Verdict

MLP's decision to revise its Waivers policy reflects a responsive approach to team feedback and a commitment to refining its operational framework. Reducing the number of waiver periods likely aims to provide greater roster stability for teams throughout the season. The more significant change, directing waiver bid payments to the team losing the player, introduces a form of compensation for the disruption and potential loss of talent. This policy shift could foster a more strategic approach to roster management and potentially reduce instances of teams feeling unfairly disadvantaged by the waiver process. Overall, these changes appear to be a positive step towards a more balanced and sustainable structure for Major League Pickleball as it continues to grow and evolve.