Samin Odhwani Appointed MLP Commissioner to Lead League's Strategy and Growth
What's the Score?
Major League Pickleball (MLP) has appointed Samin Odhwani as its new Commissioner. Odhwani, who brings experience from the NBA and previous roles within MLP, will be responsible for leading the league's business model, content distribution strategy, team governance, and on-court competition. He will also continue in his role as Chief Strategy Officer for the United Pickleball Association (UPA).
Hit it deeper!
Samin Odhwani was named Commissioner of Major League Pickleball earlier this week. This appointment signifies a key leadership change as the league navigates its growth and strategic direction. Odhwani's background includes valuable experience from his time working at the NBA. He also served as the VP of Strategy for Kevin Durant’s 35V and Boardroom. Prior to becoming Commissioner, Odhwani was the General Manager of MLP's Brooklyn Aces (which was formerly the D.C. Pickleball Team) from mid-2023 until February.
In his new role as MLP Commissioner, Odhwani will have a wide range of responsibilities aimed at steering the league's future. He will report to the MLP board regarding team governance and on-court competition matters, with a focus on aligning these aspects with the overall vision of the league. A significant part of his mandate includes leading the MLP's business model and developing its content distribution strategy.
Odhwani's role extends to balancing the competitive aspects of the league with its business considerations. Drawing from his experience in other professional sports leagues like the NBA, he recognises that a commissioner must effectively manage both dimensions. He noted the need to engage with team owners on rules and competition while simultaneously focusing on the league's business trajectory.
A key area of focus for Odhwani, as reported by Sports Business Journal (SBJ), is increasing awareness about MLP and its players. Furthermore, he is tasked with negotiating media rights. This is a particularly crucial responsibility as both national (ESPN, Fox, Tennis Channel) and local broadcast deals for MLP are set to expire following the 2025 season. Odhwani described the situation with media rights expiring in '26 as a "blank slate," which he sees as an opportunity to bring the "puzzle pieces together".
In addition to his MLP duties, Odhwani will maintain his position as the United Pickleball Association's (UPA) Chief Strategy Officer. He will continue to report to Connor Pardoe, the CEO of both the PPA Tour and MLP (under the UPA). The season-opening MLP Orlando event began on April 24th and runs through April 27th at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. Coverage of the event is available on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv App.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The appointment of Samin Odhwani as Major League Pickleball Commissioner is a pivotal development for the league's strategic future and growth trajectory. Bringing a background that includes experience in the NBA, a major established sports league, suggests a commitment from MLP to professionalise its operations and business model. Odhwani's specific mandate to lead the league's business model, content distribution strategy, and manage team/competition aspects directly addresses key areas necessary for the league's expansion and sustainability. His emphasis on increasing awareness and, critically, negotiating media rights, highlights the league's focus on securing wider visibility and revenue streams. With media deals expiring after 2025, Odhwani faces a significant opportunity to shape MLP's broadcast future. His dual role within MLP and as UPA's Chief Strategy Officer suggests a continued effort towards alignment and strategic development within the professional pickleball landscape. This appointment positions MLP for potentially significant strategic shifts and increased mainstream visibility under his leadership.