Chicago Slice vs. St. Louis Shock: Chicago’s Major League Pickleball (MLP) team, the Chicago Slice, is gearing up to add an extra thrill to Cubs fans’ Tuesday evening, September 17. While the Chicago Cubs are set to battle the Oakland Athletics later that night, pickleball aficionados will get a pre-game treat with a high-energy exhibition match between the Slice and the St. Louis Shock.
This exclusive event will unfold at Gallagher Way, right outside Wrigley Field, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Best of all, it’s free for those with tickets to the Cubs game, making it a perfect way to ramp up the excitement.
MLP Format and Team Structure
The MLP brings a fresh twist to pickleball with its unique match format, featuring both men’s and women’s doubles games, followed by mixed doubles. If the teams are tied after these games, a dramatic singles tiebreaker, called the “DreamBreaker,” will decide the winner. This dynamic setup ensures a captivating display of pickleball prowess.
The MLP operates with two tiers: Premier Level and Challenger Level. The Premier Level includes the league’s top 48 players, while the Challenger Level hosts 10 competitive teams. The Chicago Slice, a Premier Level team, was launched in 2023 by Ron Saslow’s Thirty-5 Capital. Among its co-owners are notable names like Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, supermodel Heidi Klum, Entourage producer Doug Ellin, and tennis legend Chris Evert.
What’s Next for the Chicago Slice
After Tuesday’s exciting exhibition, the Chicago Slice will jet off to New York City for a three-day tournament set against the iconic backdrop of Central Park. The next chapter in their season promises more thrilling action for the team and their growing fanbase.
News in Brief : Chicago Slice vs. St. Louis Shock
Chicago’s Major League Pickleball team, the Chicago Slice, will face the St. Louis Shock in an exhibition match on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gallagher Way, outside Wrigley Field. The event, free for ticket holders of that evening’s Cubs game, will feature MLP’s unique format of doubles and mixed doubles matches, with a potential tiebreaker. The Slice, founded in 2023, boasts prominent owners including Cubs’ Tom Ricketts and supermodel Heidi Klum. After the exhibition, the team heads to Central Park for a three-day tournament.
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