Role of General Managers in MLP: Major League Pickleball’s (MLP) 2025 season brings new rules and roster sizes, making skilled General Managers (GMs) more important than ever. Teams need GMs who can identify rising talent, particularly among players outside the top 40 rankings. The league’s competitive balance may hinge on their ability to adapt.
In 2024, the value of a strong GM was evident as successful teams excelled in the Premier and Challenger leagues. With 2025 rules requiring larger rosters and multiple unranked players, identifying “diamonds in the rough” will be key. Teams must decide whether to replace underperforming GMs or invest in scouting departments to gain an edge.
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The Rising Importance of General Managers
Major League Pickleball’s auction system for building teams rewards those with sharp talent evaluation pickleball skills. While drafting top players is straightforward, finding value in lower-ranked or overlooked players is far harder. One industry insider stated, “You are who your record says you are,” highlighting the importance of strong management.
The gap in GM skill was apparent in 2024, as certain teams excelled at finding hidden talent. With roster sizes growing, many teams will need to draft players outside the top 40 rankings, making scouting more critical. Teams that fail to adapt may struggle to remain competitive in the new season.
Will Teams Invest in Scouting and New Leadership?
In the NFL, about 25% of teams replace their GM each year. This raises the question of whether Major League Pickleball teams will follow suit. Underperforming teams may need to hire not only a new GM but also assistants and scouts to evaluate rising talent.
The challenge lies in balancing budgets while expanding operations. Teams that spend on scouting departments or advanced data analytics may gain an edge. Without such investments, they risk falling behind rivals with more forward-thinking management strategies.
Impacts on the League’s Future
The ability to find emerging talent could reshape the league. Teams with strong GMs and effective scouting may gain lasting advantages, while others could struggle to compete. Major League Pickleball’s long-term growth may depend on whether teams recognize the importance of skilled management and invest accordingly.
News in Brief: Role of General Managers in MLP
Major League Pickleball’s 2025 season rules make strong General Managers essential for success. Teams now face challenges in identifying unranked talent and may need to replace GMs or invest in scouting to remain competitive. The league’s future hinges on teams adapting to the growing importance of skilled management.
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