MLP Daytona Shake-Up & PPA Launches Netflix-Style Docuseries
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It's another new week.
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If you want today's world pickleball news in audio, listen to the Deep Dive.
MLP Daytona Delivers Shockwaves: Underdogs Roar as Powerhouses Falter in League's Wildest Week 5 Shake-Up
Daytona Beach, USA – The Major League Pickleball (MLP) Daytona Beach event over the weekend delivered the first big upsets of the season, exposing weaknesses in some top-ranked teams and sparking renewed hope for those lower in the standings.
The Los Angeles Mad Drops emerged as the undeniable story, achieving an undefeated streak at the event and rocketing from #8 to #4 in the power rankings. Their impressive run included key victories over the Texas Ranchers and the previously unbeaten St. Louis Shock, with the latter coming in a decisive Dreambreaker. This surge is largely attributed to starters Hunter Johnson (returning from a finger injury) and Quang Duong (back from suspension) finally clicking together on court.
Conversely, the Texas Ranchers faltered significantly, finishing 3-3, including a shocking loss to the previously winless Carolina Hogs and a dominant 4-0 defeat by St. Louis. The St. Louis Shock, though maintaining their #2 rank, suffered their first loss of the season to the Mad Drops, revealing potential vulnerabilities in their top women's and mixed doubles pairings. Even the #3-ranked New Jersey 5s showed cracks, enduring a Dreambreaker upset by the Utah Black Diamonds. The Carolina Hogs' unexpected win over Texas allowed them to climb from #16 to #14, signifying a potential turning point. This dynamic weekend has set an unpredictable tone for the remainder of the MLP season.
Beyond the Dink: Pickleball's Billion-Minute Boom Ignites Hollywood Ambition with Netflix-Style Documentary in the Works
Los Angeles, USA – Pickleball, the fastest-growing recreational sport in the U.S., is officially stepping into the media spotlight with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour actively filming a behind-the-scenes documentary series. This venture aims to boost the sport's visibility to a broader audience, mirroring the success of popular sports docu-series like Netflix's Drive to Survive.
With an astonishing one billion minutes of PPA Tour matches watched in 2024 and a single tournament drawing over half a million viewers, the sport's booming engagement is undeniable. In 2024, 19.8 million people played more than once, a 45.8% increase from 2023. This impressive growth is backed by significant business success; PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon revealed sponsorship revenue has surged to nearly $40 million from just $1 million in 2022, with the organisation now profitable.
The Carvana-funded documentary is currently filming at PPA Tour events, featuring both professional players and tour executives. While there's no confirmed distribution deal or release date yet, media experts caution that the series' success will heavily depend on telling compelling player stories, a common trend for emerging sports leagues seeking wider media presence. This ambitious project marks a pivotal moment for pickleball, leveraging its explosive popularity into mainstream entertainment.