MLP Las Vegas Top Moments: The turnout at Major League Pickleball (MLP) Las Vegas may have been disappointing, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This year marked the first full regular season for MLP, featuring multiple events that led up to a playoff to determine the season’s champion. With the league—and the sport of pickleball—growing rapidly, some struggles were inevitable.
Ongoing Issues
Several challenges surfaced over the course of the season. One notable example involved conflicting service rules between MLP and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), with the rules even being adjusted mid-year. Additionally, at the MLP event in Virginia Beach, there was no formal production setup, and matches were simply uploaded to YouTube.
Other concerns included questionable regulations around player injuries, transactions, and team loans. And most recently, the decision to schedule a tournament right after a PPA Tour event on a Monday through Wednesday was far from ideal. Fortunately, insiders suggest that this scheduling problem is unlikely to occur again next year.
Playoff Picture: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Despite the growing pains, some clarity emerged in Las Vegas regarding the playoff standings.
Premier Level:
- Clinched a playoff berth & first-round bye: St. Louis Shock
- Clinched a playoff berth: Dallas Flash, New Jersey 5s
- Eliminated from playoff Competition: Utah Black Diamonds, Columbus Sliders
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Challenger Level:
- Clinched a playoff berth: SoCal Hard Eights
- Eliminated from playoff Competition: California Black Bears
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While these are the only teams officially locked in or out, a few others are teetering on the edge of elimination. The Carolina Pickleball Club and Los Angeles Mad Drops in the Premier Level, and the Florida Smash and Frisco Pandas in the Challenger Level, still have slim playoff chances, but those hopes are all but extinguished.
What’s Next for MLP?
As MLP continues to evolve, addressing the issues that surfaced during this first full regular season will be key to the league’s long-term success.
Attendance, scheduling conflicts, and improving the production quality are all areas where the league can grow and improve. But for now, with playoffs on the horizon, all eyes are on the teams that have a shot at making it to the top.
News in Brief: MLP Las Vegas Top Moments
Major League Pickleball (MLP) Las Vegas faced low attendance, but it’s part of growing pains as the league holds its first full regular season. Several issues arose during the season, including conflicting service rules, production problems, and questionable player injury regulations.
Despite these challenges, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. The St. Louis Shock has clinched a first-round bye, while the Dallas Flash and New Jersey 5s have secured playoff spots in the Premier Level. Meanwhile, the SoCal Hard Eights have clinched a playoff berth in the Challenger Level. A few teams still hang on by slim margins.
ALSO READ: MLP Las Vegas Challenger League Recap of the Biggest Wins and Surprises!
