In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through the pickleball community, dozens of professional pickleball players have come together to form a collective. Their main objective is to voice their concerns regarding recent pay cuts and the future of the sport. The collective, made up of some of the top players in the industry, has expressed dissatisfaction with how they have been treated by Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Pro Pickleball Association Tour (PPA Tour).
The Pay Cut Proposal and Dissatisfaction
The catalyst for this collective action was MLP’s request for players to take a 40% pay cut in exchange for a reduction in work obligations. The aim of the pay cuts was to help the league become financially viable over the long term. However, many players have expressed dissatisfaction not only with the proposed cuts but also with the lack of transparency and the way the leagues have handled the situation.
The collective, in a letter obtained by CNBC, shared their frustrations, saying, “We understand the economic reality of pay cuts, however, lies, threats, deceitfulness, false deadlines, and the refusal to honor written addendums and agreements have no place in the league that we know and love.”
Allegations of Unfair Treatment and Lack of Transparency
Several players, who spoke with CNBC on the condition of anonymity, revealed that they felt unfairly treated or received threats for not agreeing to the proposed pay cuts. While many players were not necessarily against the cuts themselves, they took issue with the lack of transparency and the league’s handling of the negotiations.
One player reported being threatened that the cuts would increase to 60% if they didn’t accept the pay cut within a day. When requesting additional information and a written proposal, the league failed to provide it. These accounts of alleged mistreatment have created a climate of fear among players, with many hesitant to speak out publicly for fear of retribution.
Ownership and Leadership Changes
Major League Pickleball has seen significant changes in ownership and leadership in recent months. The league, fueled by the sport’s growing popularity, attracted A-list ownership groups, including prominent athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, and Patrick Mahomes. However, despite this star-studded ownership, the league has experienced upheaval.
MLP founder Steve Kuhn and Commissioner Brooks Wiley have both departed in recent months. Julio DePietro, who purchased a stake in the Florida Smash MLP team in 2022 and served as MLP CEO, also quietly left the role. These leadership changes have added to the uncertainty and instability surrounding the league.
Unusual Negotiations and Proposed Merger
Adding to the players’ frustrations is the fact that PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe has been heavily involved in negotiating with MLP players over their contracts. This arrangement is seen as unusual by many players, as they had chosen MLP over the PPA Tour to avoid dealing with Pardoe. The players now find themselves forced to negotiate with someone they had hoped to avoid.
Formation of the Collective
In response to what they perceive as immoral and unethical negotiation tactics, the players decided to form a collective. Led by former MLP Challenger champion and MVP Jillian Braverman, the collective represents the interests of the majority of MLP’s approximately 100 players.
The collective started as a WhatsApp chat and has evolved into a forum where players can collectively share their experiences. Braverman revealed that they have received funding from an angel investor and have hired both an employment attorney and an antitrust attorney to support their cause.
Survey Results and Damaging Polls
As part of their efforts to present a united front, the collective conducted a survey among MLP players. The results were damning, with 89% of respondents stating that they did not feel they had been treated fairly during the pay cut negotiation process. Additionally, 92% felt that MLP leadership had failed to satisfactorily answer the majority of their questions.
The survey also revealed a concerning sentiment towards the PPA Tour, with 57% of players stating that they had felt victimized, harassed, or bullied by the rival league. Furthermore, over 75% expressed doubts about the moral character and integrity of PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe and the PPA Tour leadership team.
Major Concerns and Departure from Ethos
In their letter, the collective expressed their deep concerns about the direction MLP has taken, stating, “We believe that MLP has departed from the ethos that we know and love and is instead embodying the exact ethos that we fled from when we signed multi-year deals with Major League Pickleball in August.”
Despite the formation of the collective and their letter to MLP stakeholders, the league has yet to respond. The players sent a follow-up note, informing MLP leaders that they have retained legal counsel. MLP, in a joint statement with the PPA Tour, emphasized the players’ collaboration and their shared goal of building a sustainable future for professional pickleball.
Wake-Up Call for MLP Owners
One MLP team owner, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed hope that the collective would serve as a wakeup call to the other owners. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, players are not happy. It’s not going well, and they feel rightfully aggrieved.”
Another MLP team owner, Ritchie Tuazon, who owns the California BLQK Bears, sees the value in the collective’s formation. He believes that a unified player voice is a positive step for pickleball and its future.
MLP’s Response and Challenges to Claims
MLP responded to the collective’s letter with a communication of their own titled “Where We Stand.” In the letter, the league stated that over 85% of all 2023 Premiere Level Players had accepted the reductions and new agreements proposed by the “NewCo,” the merged MLP and PPA Tour entity. The letter also mentioned that MLP owners had pledged an additional $10 million annually to fund operations and would receive another $50 million on January 1.
However, the collective, along with pickleball news website Pickleball Union, challenged these claims. After reaching out to players and agents, they determined that the number of players accepting the pay cuts was closer to 25% to 30% at best. The situation remains contentious, with conflicting reports and perspectives from both sides.
Uncertain Future and Deadline
MLP’s letter to players included a warning that the new agreements would be null and void if the merger between MLP and the PPA Tour was not completed by January 31, 2024. This uncertainty leaves the future viability and sustainability of MLP in question.
As professional pickleball players unite to voice their concerns, the sport faces a critical juncture. The collective’s formation represents a significant turning point, highlighting the need for transparency, fairness, and open communication within the pickleball community. Only time will tell how these issues will be resolved and what lies ahead for the future of professional pickleball.
See first source: CNBC
FAQ
Q1: Why did professional pickleball players form a collective?
A1: The professional pickleball players formed a collective to voice their concerns regarding recent pay cuts and the handling of negotiations by Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Pro Pickleball Association Tour (PPA Tour). They expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed pay cuts and the lack of transparency in the negotiation process.
Q2: What was the catalyst for the formation of the collective?
A2: The catalyst for the collective action was MLP’s request for players to take a 40% pay cut in exchange for a reduction in work obligations. This proposal led many players to express their frustrations and concerns.
Q3: What were the allegations made by some players regarding the negotiation process?
A3: Some players alleged mistreatment, including receiving threats and being pressured to accept the pay cuts. There were also claims of a lack of transparency in the negotiation process, which added to the players’ dissatisfaction.
Q4: Who is leading the collective of professional pickleball players?
A4: The collective is led by former MLP Challenger champion and MVP Jillian Braverman. She is spearheading the efforts to represent the interests of the players.
Q5: What did the survey conducted by the collective reveal?
A5: The survey conducted by the collective revealed that 89% of respondents felt they had not been treated fairly during the pay cut negotiation process. Additionally, 92% felt that MLP leadership had failed to satisfactorily answer the majority of their questions. The survey also indicated concerns about the PPA Tour and its leadership.
Q6: How did MLP respond to the collective’s letter and claims?
A6: MLP responded with a communication titled “Where We Stand,” stating that over 85% of all 2023 Premiere Level Players had accepted the reductions and new agreements proposed by the “NewCo,” the merged MLP and PPA Tour entity. MLP owners also pledged additional funding. However, there are conflicting reports and perspectives on these claims.
Q7: What is the future of professional pickleball in light of these developments?
A7: The future of professional pickleball is uncertain due to the ongoing conflicts between the players and the leagues. MLP set a deadline for the merger with the PPA Tour by January 31, 2024, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the sport’s viability and sustainability. The collective’s formation represents a turning point in the sport, highlighting the need for transparency and fairness in the pickleball community.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Ben Hershey; Unsplash – Thank you!
