the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour have officially merged, establishing a consolidated professional pickleball holding company. The merger, supported by a $50 million investment from SC Holdings and DC Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, also involves investments from PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon and existing MLP team owners.
The unified entity brings together the traditional bracket-style tour format of the PPA Tour, determining the world’s best pickleball players, with MLP’s team-based co-ed league format. This strategic move aims to provide equal support and promotion to both formats, streamlining the schedule and creating a single overseeing entity for the two brands.
The decision to merge comes after the announcement in November that MLP and the PPA were exploring a strategic merger to enhance the growth of the sport. The collaboration addresses previous concerns about potential conflicts between the two organizations, particularly as PPA initially restricted its players from participating in MLP.
High-profile owners such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, Mark Cuban, and Anheuser-Busch InBev have stakes in the respective competitions.
MLP founder Steve Kuhn expressed excitement about the merger’s potential to provide clarity and consistency in professional pickleball, expanding opportunities for players and enhancing the overall experience. PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon highlighted the increasing interest in professional pickleball and emphasized the holding company’s role in creating a streamlined sport, offering more opportunities for player competition, broadcasting rights, and sponsorship.
With over 150 players and a diverse calendar of team and individual events, the unified organization is poised to offer fans a comprehensive experience, allowing them to witness top pickleball athletes competing across both formats.
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