2025 Season Sees No New Teams: Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced that there will be no new teams introduced for the 2025 season. This decision comes after two teams were bought out just ahead of the 2024 season, leaving MLP with a 16-team premier league and a 6-team challenger league. The league has stated that it will not rush the sale of additional franchises, despite financial opportunities in selling them.
No Expansion for 2025
The decision to maintain the current team structure is seen as a move toward stability after a period of uncertainty in the league’s growth. While many expected the addition of new teams for the 2025 season, Major League Pickleball will hold firm with its existing team lineup.
This means that Major League Pickleball will continue to operate with a 16-team premier league and 6 challenger teams in 2025, a structure that has raised concerns due to the small size of the challenger league. While the challenger league will auto-promote its teams to the premier league by the end of the season, the current size is still seen by some as limiting for growth and competition.
The Impact of No New Teams
The lack of expansion in 2025 comes amidst a backdrop of shifting franchise valuations. Major League Pickleball has been navigating changing financial realities since the Dude Perfect investment in the Frisco Pandas, which set the league’s franchise valuations at around $5 million. However, the actual buyout price for franchises in 2024 was reportedly lower at $4 million.
While the decision to forgo new teams may have been financially strategic, it also means Major League Pickleball is not capitalizing on the potential for expansion. This could slow the league’s growth and make it more difficult to attract new investors.
Future of MLP’s Franchise Market
Although the league is not adding new teams in 2025, it remains committed to eventually expanding to a 24-team structure. With the challenger league’s auto-promotion system in place, teams that perform well in the challenger division could move up to the premier league, creating a more competitive landscape.
This system may encourage future investment, as new buyers could look at the opportunity to quickly enter the premier league once they acquire a team.
However, with a smaller challenger league and uncertain franchise values, MLP faces challenges in attracting new owners. The league will need to balance its expansion goals with the financial realities it currently faces to ensure long-term sustainability.
News in Brief: 2025 Season Sees No New Teams
Major League Pickleball will not add new teams in 2025, sticking with a 16-team premier league and 6-team challenger league. This decision follows changing franchise valuations and the league’s focus on stability. MLP remains committed to a 24-team structure but is not rushing expansion.
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