The Dallas-based Carvana PPA Tour and Austin-based MLP by Margaritaville have completed the previously announced merger of the two leading professional pickleball organizations to form a unified professional pickleball holding company.
The consolidation is backed by a $75 million investment from private equity firm SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owners Tom Dundon and the Pardoe Family, and a roster of existing MLP team owners.
“Today is an exciting day for everyone involved or interested in the world of pickleball,” PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe said in a statement. “MLP and the PPA Tour working as partners creates a sustainable, viable, and healthy ecosystem for all key participants in which the best players in the world can play in both of the thrilling pickleball formats, ensuring that we’re promoting the highest-quality, most exciting events.”
Pro pickleball players Jessie Irvine and Jay Devilliers at a PPA Tour event. [Photo: Professional Pickleball Association/PR Newswire]
One company with two distinct brands and formats
The merger combines the leading individual bracket-style tour and team-based professional pickleball formats, with the PPA Tour and MLP retaining their distinct brands and their unique formats.
More than 150 professional pickleball players—including the top ranked players in the world—have signed multiyear contracts with the new entity, with many of them set to participate in an expanded calendar that combines individual (PPA Tour) and team (MLP) events throughout the year.
That will provide a streamlined schedule and will make following the sport easier for both avid and casual fans. Combined annual player payouts under the new unified organization in 2024 are expected to increase by nearly 250%, compared to 2023, which will provide more players with the opportunity to approach the sport as a full-time career.
“This merger signals the next phase of growth for professional pickleball, and the combined resources and networks of the PPA Tour and MLP will support the sport at all levels,” MLP CEO Bruce Popko said in a statement. “Commercially, this unification positions us to be even better partners, as sponsors, broadcast partners, venue operators, equipment manufacturers, and others will benefit from the combined, expanded 2024 schedule of PPA and MLP events.”
“While unified through a parent company, the PPA Tour and MLP will maintain their distinct brands, allowing sponsors and partners to invest in the brands that best align with their business goals, all the while showcasing a consistent, premier product for fans across both playing formats,” Popko added.
Events and leadership
Following the completion of the merger, the 2024 Carvana PPA Tour will include a calendar of events that began on Jan. 9 at PPA Tour: The Masters in Palm Springs, California, and will feature 25 tournaments culminating with the PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente, California, on Dec. 5-8.
The 2024 MLP season schedule will feature regular season events in addition to the 2024 MLP Mid-Season Tournament in July, and the 2024 MLP Playoffs in November. The league’s 24 teams will be divided across two levels — Premier and Challenger — with each team appearing at numerous regular season events.
The parent company’s board of directors and team owners include business leaders, leading investors, and professional athletes. The new board of directors will include Jason Stein from SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, Matt Turney from Dundon Capital Partners, MLP team owner Julio DePietro, and former Goldman Sachs Partner Brian Levine.
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is one of the MLP’s team owners
Last year, we told you how Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and the guys from Dude Perfect became part owners of the Frisco Pandas, a Major League Pickleball franchise. At the time, Major League Pickleball Founder Steve Kuhn said the deal valued the franchise at $5 million, according to Sportico.
Also last year, the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships headed to North Texas, moving from Indian Wells Tennis Club in California to Invited’s Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch.
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R E A D N E X T
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When Dak Prescott is in a pickle, usually it's because an Eagles defensive lineman is chasing him around the backfield. But now the Dallas Cowboys QB has found a new pickle-related pursuit: He's become one of the owners of the Frisco Pandas, a Major League Pickleball franchise. The move comes just months after Frisco-based Dude Perfect became investors in the franchise, valuing the team at $5 million.
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The tournament is moving from Indian Wells Tennis Club in California to Invited's Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch. To be held November 4-12, it will an increased capacity, with more than 3,500 amateur players and all of pickleball’s top pros set to compete on up to 65 courts.
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