Major League Pickleball merger with PPA is back on after a falling out threatened the deal

After weeks of drama in skilled pickleball, the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball have once more agreed to merge, the leagues mentioned Wednesday.

The mixture is backed by a $50 million funding led by non-public fairness agency SC Holdings, PPA Tour proprietor Tom Dundon and varied MLP house owners.

“As skilled pickleball continues to quickly develop, we couldn’t be extra excited to supply each gamers and followers with the readability and consistency of a unified skilled pickleball group,” MLP founder Steve Kuhn mentioned in a assertion.

The merger settlement was first introduced in November. But in current weeks, the MLP and PPA had a main falling out after the agreed upon merger phrases nonetheless hadn’t been finalized.

The two competing leagues have been chasing the high gamers in the world in a spending battle, signing them to contracts to play of their respective leagues.

“This merger will increase and enhance alternatives for present and future gamers, creating a united expertise and a higher future taking part in skilled pickleball,” Kuhn mentioned.

The sport of pickleball has seen unprecedented development in the previous couple of years at each the beginner {and professional} stage. More than 36 million people played pickleball in 2022, as courts are popping up all across the country. On the skilled stage, MLP groups’ values have skyrocketed, with some groups going for $10 million.

Dundon mentioned the new holding firm will assist streamline the sport on points from competitors to broadcasting rights and sponsorship.

The PPA Tour is a bracket-style tour format, whereas the MLP is a coed, team-based league. MLP house owners embrace many high-profile athletes from LeBron James and Kevin Durant to Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

Under the merger, the organizations mentioned followers can watch each codecs of particular person and group play underneath the similar umbrella. The mixed leagues will comprise 150 of the main gamers in the world.

“Over the previous few years, we’ve seen ever-increasing curiosity from traders, sponsors, followers and gamers who perceive the immense worth in the future {of professional} pickleball,” mentioned Dundon.