{"id":10926,"date":"2023-11-29T20:41:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T20:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundinguno.com\/news\/major-league-pickleball-asks-players-to-take-40-pay-cut-on-the-back-of-rapid-growth\/"},"modified":"2023-11-29T20:41:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T20:41:28","slug":"major-league-pickleball-asks-players-to-take-40-pay-cut-on-the-back-of-rapid-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundinguno.com\/?p=10926","title":{"rendered":"Major League Pickleball asks players to take 40% pay cut on the back of rapid growth"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n

Pickleball’s rapid growth may be coming back down to reality.<\/p>\n

Major League Pickleball is requesting that players consent to compensation reductions of 40% in return for a reduction of work obligations, according an email sent to players that was obtained by CNBC.<\/p>\n

“We have carefully studied the economics of the business and determined that certain changes need to be made to ensure a sustainable and viable business that will not only survive but thrive in 2024 and beyond for the benefit of all stakeholders,” the email reads.<\/p>\n

The league’s proposal asks players to reduce their number of annual work days from 200 to 120 and indicates it would cut their salaries proportionally.<\/p>\n

“You would be free to monetize the other 245 days on the annual calendar any way you choose – with 100% of any earnings on those days going to you,” the email reads.<\/p>\n

Players who do consent will be guaranteed a minimum of 10 slots in PPA events.<\/p>\n

The league said it will also cut operational and event-related costs for 2024 and further revealed that it has parted ways with Commissioner Brooks Wiley. It follows another major executive departure, with founder Steve Kuhn resigning in October.<\/p>\n

News of the pay reductions was first reported by the Dink Pickleball. Both MLP and PPA declined to comment.<\/p>\n

It comes as professional pickleball has seen rapid growth in nearly every category and as Major League Pickleball and Professional Pickleball Association are on the cusp of signing an on-again, off-again, on-again merger agreement.<\/p>\n

As part of the pro sport’s whirlwind rise, the leagues offered huge contracts to lure players to their respective leagues.<\/p>\n

The MLP email notes the PPA has also been communicating with its players and has made similar requests for player compensation reductions.<\/p>\n

Reactions have been mixed among professional pickleball players.<\/p>\n

“Aren’t there collusion\/ anti- trust issues with this?” asked Jillian Braverman in a post on X<\/a>, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, following the league-wide email. “We need to leverage collective bargaining ASAP.”<\/p>\n

Two-time Major League Pickleball champion Thomas Wilson, however, said players are paid “more than fairly even with the cuts.”<\/p>\n

“I think most of the players seem to be on board with moving forward together to make it all work for everyone,” Wilson told CNBC.<\/p>\n

Laura Vossberg Gainor, founder of a pickleball marketing agency, said the future of the sport is still bright as she’s watched players reap the rewards of pickleball’s growth.<\/p>\n

“The surge in the value of their personal brands has intensified the off-court rivalry among brands vying to secure top players for product endorsements,” she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n