MLP’s Controversial New Rules: Major League Pickleball (MLP) is implementing three significant rule changes for the 2025 season. Announced in their updated 2025 Competition Structure Overview on February 21, these adjustments aim to improve fairness, increase player participation, and enhance the league’s overall competitiveness.
Breaking: MLP introduces four waiver periods and allows premier teams to drop a top-4 player and pick up another team’s 5th or 6th rostered player without compensation. pic.twitter.com/vI0kb7D2Pj
— The Dink Pickleball (@Pickleball) February 26, 2025
New Draft Requirement
One major change involves the upcoming draft on Sunday, March 2. MLP now requires all teams to have four players—two men and two women—before they can bid on a draft selection slot for a fifth player.
Some teams may have made different decisions had this rule been in place earlier. “The idea of this makes sense, but I would have liked to see this implemented before the keeper/drop deadline,” an MLP source told The Dink.
Expanded Waiver Periods
Another key rule change is the introduction of four waiver periods for Premier Level teams, replacing the previous single waiver period. These waivers allow teams to adjust rosters throughout the season:
- May 6 (after MLP Columbus)
- June 3 (after MLP Phoenix)
- July 1 (after MLP San Clemente)
- July 15 (after the Mid-Season Tournament)
All dates are subject to change.
This rule is meant to create parity by ensuring the best players remain on the court. However, concerns have been raised about its impact on roster stability. “Only 35 of the original 88 players drafted in 2024 will remain with their teams in 2025, meaning rosters have already seen 60% turnover,” the source noted. “I’d like to see MORE roster continuity in 2025, not less. And this rule obviously enforces less roster continuity.”
The Challenger Level will still have only one waiver period, scheduled for June 11.
Player ‘Stealing’ Rule Introduced
Perhaps the most significant change is the new rule allowing teams to acquire another team’s fifth or sixth player. Teams must designate their top four players after each event, leaving their fifth and sixth players available for waiver claims. However, to acquire a player, teams must drop one of their top four players.
This rule ensures top talent is active in matches rather than being “hidden” on rosters. However, some believe it could hinder player and team development. “Teams who want to focus on developing the talent that they draft could then implement training sessions, pay for travel and accommodations, and coaching,” the source explained. “Then three weeks later, a team could steal that player and all of that work goes out the door.”
What’s Next?
MLP’s new rules are expected to reshape team strategies, particularly in player retention and development. While some see these adjustments as necessary for league parity, others worry about excessive player movement and the potential loss of continuity.
With the draft approaching and waiver periods set to begin in May, teams will need to adapt quickly to these changes.
News in Brief: MLP’s Controversial New Rules
Major League Pickleball has introduced three new rules for 2025. Teams must have four players before selecting a fifth in the draft. Premier Level teams now have four waiver periods instead of one. A new rule allows teams to claim another team’s fifth or sixth player, potentially reshaping rosters throughout the season
ALSO READ: MLP 2025 Waiver Period Changes: How Teams Will Navigate the New System