Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Expansion: Major League Pickleball (MLP) is expanding rapidly, adding 16 premier franchises in 2025. This professional league, which started in 2021, will feature teams made up of two men and two women. The league has attracted big names, including celebrities and top athletes, making pickleball a booming sport.
Rise of Major League Pickleball
In 2021, Major League Pickleball was formed with six teams across the country. By 2025, the league will grow to 16 teams, with each having four players, including two women and two men.
Players like Susannah Barr, co-owner of The Flying Pickle, are already making their mark in the league. Barr competes for the Atlanta Bouncers franchise, while Nick Petterson, another Flying Pickle co-owner, has participated in multiple professional tournaments.
The pickleball league also includes six Challenger franchises, providing a platform for up-and-coming players. Teams travel across the country for 14 tour dates, with the closest event to the Tri-Cities set for Salt Lake City in June.
Big Names and Big Money
The league has attracted celebrity investors, including businessman Mark Cuban, football stars Tom Brady, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and country music singer Dierks Bentley.
As the sport continues to grow, the financial rewards for professional players are also impressive. Players can earn over $260,000 annually, with women earning more in pickleball than in any other sport.
“Pickleball is the highest paid sport for women athletes,” said Starita. “The top pickleball players can make more than the top WNBA players.”
Social Side of Pickleball
While the professional league offers big money, pickleball is also popular at the local level for its social benefits. Steve Sullivan, from Club 509 Pickleball in the Tri-Cities, said the sport has a strong social aspect that keeps players engaged.
Starita added that the community created at his pickleball facility has been a source of support for many. “We’ve had a marriage proposal there. We’ve had a wedding there,” he said.
Pickleball has become more than just a sport for many people, offering a sense of belonging and a second family.
Looking Ahead
Major League Pickleball’s growth and celebrity involvement signal that the sport’s future is bright. As new teams join and more players sign up, pickleball’s influence continues to spread across the nation.
The local pickleball scene also remains strong, offering both competitive play and a community space for players of all ages.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Expansion
Major League Pickleball is expanding to 16 teams in 2025. The professional league has attracted celebrity investors and high earnings for players. Pickleball’s social impact also makes it a popular sport at the local level. The future of pickleball looks promising both professionally and in communities.
ALSO READ: MLP Cup 2025, A Thrilling Conclusion to the Major League Pickleball’s Most Anticipated Event