MLP Owners in Dallas to Settle Key Issues: As Major League Pickleball (MLP) owners, general managers (GMs), and other important personnel gather for meetings in Dallas this Monday and Tuesday at UPA headquarters, several significant questions remain about the upcoming 2025 season.
These discussions are expected to finalize the details of the season, but there are still many uncertainties surrounding roster sizes, player eligibility, financials, and salary cap regulations.
Uncertain Things
Roster Sizes for 2025: One of the biggest questions for teams is the size of rosters for the upcoming season. Currently, each team has four players, but rumors suggest that the roster size could expand to six players.
If this change happens, it would significantly impact the decision-making process for GMs. They would need to consider more players in their strategies, which could shift the dynamics of team management and player acquisitions.
Financials of the Teams: Another mystery is the financial landscape of the teams. Some team owners are believed to have large budgets and will be willing to spend aggressively, while others may aim to conserve funds for future seasons, particularly as MLP looks to move all teams to the Premier Level by 2026 or secure media rights deals that could bring in more revenue.
With no official details on the financial strategies of teams, this leaves a major question mark regarding how teams will approach player salaries and roster decisions.
Unsigned UPA Players and Eligibility: A key decision that is still up in the air is whether unsigned UPA players will be eligible to play in MLP for 2025. In 2024, if a team drafted or acquired an unsigned UPA player, they had to pay a $20,000 fee—$10,000 went to the league, and $10,000 went to the player.
However, rumors suggest that unsigned players may not be allowed to play at all in 2025, a decision that would have significant implications for roster management and player acquisitions.
Players Who Opted Out in 2024: Another unresolved issue is whether players who opted out of MLP 2024 will be allowed to join teams in 2025. Six signed UPA players—Julian Arnold, Lauren Stratman, Mary Brascia, Maggie Brascia, Matt Wright, and Lucy Kovalova—chose not to participate in 2024.
If any of these players decide to play in 2025, it could impact team strategies. Additionally, the question remains whether players who opt out of MLP 2025 will be allowed to opt back in later in the season, something that occurred with “the Fab 5” in 2024, but is unlikely to happen again in 2025.
Salary Cap for 2025: Finally, there is still no official word on whether a salary cap will be implemented for the 2025 season. In 2024, teams were allotted 500,000 PPA Draft Points and could spend up to $500,000 in actual dollars for player salaries.
However, with the draft system being removed for 2025, and teams now submitting player salaries directly to the league, it’s unclear if a salary cap will still apply. The absence of the draft system could create a situation where wealthier teams dominate by simply outspending others.
What’s at Stake
These unresolved issues are crucial for the 2025 MLP season, as they will directly affect team strategies, player acquisitions, and overall league balance.
The decisions made in Dallas will help shape the future of Major League Pickleball, determining how teams manage their rosters, their budgets, and their players moving forward.
News in Brief: MLP Owners in Dallas to Settle Key Issues
The MLP owners meetings in Dallas will address key uncertainties for the 2025 season, including roster sizes, unsigned player eligibility, and salary cap rules. Teams are eager for answers that will guide their roster strategies and financial planning ahead of the season.
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