Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Rules: Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced significant updates for Challenger Level teams in the 2025 season. With roster rules, salary structures, and player eligibility evolving, these changes aim to refine team operations and ensure competitive balance in the league.
Challenger Level Salaries for 2025
MLP has released the current salary data for Challenger Level teams, highlighting the financial landscape of the league’s second-tier competition.
| Team | 2025 Level | Current 2025 Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Aces | Challenger | $12,000 |
| Bay Area Breakers | Challenger | $9,000 |
| California Black Bears | Challenger | $0 |
| Florida Smash | Challenger | $0 |
| Frisco Pandas | Challenger | $0 |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | Challenger | $0 |
While teams like the Brooklyn Aces ($12,000) and Bay Area Breakers ($9,000) have modest allocations, others, including the California Black Bears and Florida Smash, currently have no recorded salaries.
This provides these teams with flexibility to prioritize player acquisitions and roster optimization as they prepare for the season’s pickleball tournaments.
Loaning Players No Longer Allowed
With Premier Level rosters expanding to six players, MLP has eliminated the practice of loaning Challenger Level players to Premier teams. Instead, teams must rely on substitutes from their own roster or designated on-site alternates. This rule change ensures roster consistency and streamlines player management across all levels.
In the event of injuries during a pickleball tournament, Challenger Level teams can choose replacements from the pool of on-site alternates, ensuring continuity without compromising gameplay quality.
Roster Regulations and Player Eligibility
While Premier Level teams transition to six-player rosters, Challenger Level teams will maintain their four-player format. MLP has reiterated that only players signed with the UPA (United Pickleball Association) are eligible for the 2025 season. This marks a shift from 2024, where non-UPA players could participate under specific conditions.
Teams must carefully plan roster construction to comply with these regulations, which are intended to foster a more cohesive and competitive environment across all pickleball events and tournaments.
Impact on Challenger Level Teams
Challenger teams with minimal or no salary obligations, such as the California Black Bears, have significant flexibility to strengthen their lineups for the upcoming season.
Teams with established salaries, like the Brooklyn Aces, will need to optimize spending to maintain competitive rosters while adhering to MLP’s updated rules.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Rules
MLP has updated rules for Challenger Level teams in 2025, maintaining four-player rosters and eliminating player loans. Teams must rely on on-site alternates for injuries, while only UPA-signed players are eligible. These changes aim to enhance competition and roster stability.
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