Local TV Deal Amplifies MLP Action for Atlanta Bouncers, Carolina Hogs, Columbus Sliders, and St. Louis Shock

What's the Score?

Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Gray Media have announced a series of local media partnerships to expand broadcast coverage for several teams during the 2025 season. Viewers in the home markets and surrounding areas of the Atlanta Bouncers, Carolina Hogs, Columbus Sliders, and St. Louis Shock will be able to watch select matches on local television networks. Broadcasts will begin with the MLP Orlando (Apr. 24-27) and MLP Columbus (May 1-4) events. This initiative aims to bring Major League Pickleball to a wider audience.

Hit it deeper!

This strategic move by MLP and Gray Media marks a significant step towards increasing the visibility and accessibility of professional team pickleball. By securing local media partnerships in key team markets, MLP is tapping into established regional sports networks to reach fans directly in their communities. This expanded distribution complements the existing full event coverage available on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv App.

The specific broadcast schedules for each team on their respective local networks are as follows:

Atlanta Bouncers matches on Peachtree Sports Network:

Saturday, Apr. 26, at 2 p.m. ET vs. New Jersey 5s (MLP Orlando)

Friday, May 2, at 4 p.m. ET vs. Chicago Slice (MLP Columbus)

Sunday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. ET vs. Columbus Sliders (MLP Columbus)

Carolina Hogs matches on the Palmetto Entertainment and Sports Network:

Saturday, Apr. 26, at Noon ET vs. defending champion Dallas Flash (MLP Orlando)

Friday, May 2, at 2 p.m. ET vs. Orlando Squeeze (MLP Columbus)

Columbus Sliders matches on Rock Entertainment Sports Network:

Friday, Apr. 25, at 12 p.m. ET vs. Dallas Flash (MLP Orlando)

Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. ET vs. St. Louis Shock (MLP Columbus)

Sunday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. ET vs. Atlanta Bouncers (MLP Columbus)

St. Louis Shock matches on Matrix Midwest:

Sunday, Apr. 27, at 11 a.m. ET vs. D.C. Pickleball Team (MLP Orlando)

Thursday, May 1, at 4 p.m. ET vs. Atlanta Bouncers (MLP Columbus)

Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. ET vs. Columbus Sliders (MLP Columbus)

Samin Odhwani, UPA Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted the "incredible growth in pickleball" and expressed excitement about "bringing Major League Pickleball to the masses" through this partnership with Gray Media. This initiative aims to serve the existing audience of over 20 million pickleball players and attract new fans in the local MLP team markets.

Full match scheduling and additional distribution information will be released approximately 30 days before each event. Fans are encouraged to check their local listings for more details.

The World Pickleball Verdict

The local media partnerships secured by MLP with Gray Media represent a significant advancement in the league's strategy to broaden its reach and cultivate a stronger fanbase within team markets. By leveraging the established infrastructure and audience of local television networks, MLP is making its content more accessible to a wider segment of the population who may not be dedicated subscribers of streaming services like Pickleballtv. This increased visibility has the potential to drive greater awareness of the league, its teams, and its players, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and popularity of professional team pickleball. The focus on key markets like Atlanta, Carolina, Columbus, and St. Louis suggests a targeted approach to building regional fan bases, which is crucial for the long-term sustainability and success of MLP. This initiative could serve as a successful model for further expansion of local broadcast partnerships in other MLP team markets in the future.