The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have decided on a name and logo for the parent company the two sides formed when they officially merged last month: United Pickleball Association. The two bodies will combine under the name United Pickleball Association. The rebrand was handled in-house.
A Drawn-Out Saga
The two bodies finished the much-anticipated merger negotiations in late February following a drawn-out saga that saw a bidding war for top players threaten the leagues’ financial viability. Several key leaders, such as top dog and founder Steve Kuhn and Commissioner Brooks Wiley, decided to leave the MLP during the negotiations.
Eventually, PPA founder and CEO Connor Pardoe, PPA majority owner Tom Dundon and MLP team owners unanimously approved a merger of equals, creating the UPA holding company and receiving a $75 million investment from private equity firm SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour proprietors Dundon and the Pardoe Family, alongside other MLP team owners.
Leadership Breakdown
Pardoe will continue to lead the PPA, while former Bills CRO and Pegula Sports & Entertainment COO Bruce Popko is CEO of MLP. The leagues will maintain distinct brands and operations under the UPA umbrella. Upon closing the merger, the two sides announced a five-member board that will govern the UPA — SC Holdings managing partner Jason Stein, Tylis, Dundon Capital Partners CFO Matt Turney, Florida Smash owner/former MLP CEO Julio DePietro, and former MLP interim CEO Brian Levine — but its operational leadership has yet to be announced.
The merger integrates PPA’s bracket-style tour and MLP’s 24-team-based regular season/playoffs format.
The PPA employs a tour-style schedule, while the MLP runs a The PPA had continued holding tournaments while the negotiations were ongoing. However, MLP decided to delay its 2024 season. The drafts for MLP’s 12-team Premier and Challenger levels are scheduled for April 2 and April 3, respectively, with an 11-event calendar due to get underway in May.
Over 150 professional pickleball players, including the world’s top-ranked players, inked multi-year deals with the new entity.
The UPA already has its own website and Instagram account and it mentioned the creation of a United Pickleball State Championship Series in its inaugural post. A quick visit to the website reveals more information, including some event dates and this short description:
“The series, spanning all 50 states as well as 6 regional events, provides an inclusive platform for players of varying ages and skill levels to engage in spirited competition. The chance to compete in one of the largest pickleball tournaments in each state ensures a diverse and competitive field, creating an environment that encourages players to push their limits and improve their game.”
“An Exciting Day”
Pardoe said on the day of the merger, “Today is an exciting day for everyone involved or interested in the world of pickleball.”
“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.”
MLP CEO Bruce Popko stated, “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.
“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.
