Major League Pickleball Rebranding: The D.C. Pickleball Team and Brooklyn Aces announced Saturday that they will swap franchise names ahead of the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season, allowing each team to better align with its community roots as they prepare for the upcoming MLP Orlando event from April 24-27.
Background and Team Changes
The D.C. Pickleball Team will now rebrand as the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. They aim to build on their 2024 Premier level quarterfinal finish. Their roster includes Rachel Rohrabacher, Jackie Kawamoto, Dekel Bar, Riley Newman, Hannah Blatt, and Pat Smith.
The Brooklyn Aces will take over the D.C. Pickleball Team name. After an up-and-down 2024 season where they won the Mid-Season Tournament but missed the Challenger level playoffs, the team looks for a fresh start. Their roster features Mari Humberg, Andrea Koop, Daniel de la Rosa, and Stefan Auvergne.
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Official Statements
“Looking ahead to this next chapter in Brooklyn, we’re filled with excitement about the opportunity to grow the game and create new connections in the borough I was raised in and a city with such a rich sports culture,”.
“At the same time, we’ll continue collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that our time in D.C. leaves a lasting impact. We can’t wait to see both communities rally behind their teams as we embark on this exciting journey.”(Al Tylis, now principal owner of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team)
“Our organization has created deep roots within the DC community over the years through the work of the Durant Family Foundation and Team Durant, and being able to bring our pickleball team to DC to create more connectivity just makes sense,”(Rich Kleiman)
now principal owner of the DC Pickleball Team.
More Rebrands Ahead of 2025
Brooklyn and DC are not the only teams rebranding. The Carolina Hogs (formerly Carolina Pickleball Club), Phoenix Flames (formerly AZ Drive), and Nashville Chefs (formerly Frisco Pandas) have also announced name changes before the new season starts at MLP Orlando.
Looking Ahead
This wave of rebrands signals a growing focus on local identity and community connection in Major League Pickleball. The moves could boost fan support and help teams build stronger ties. All eyes are now on MLP Orlando, where fans will see these newly named teams compete for the first time.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Rebranding
The D.C. Pickleball Team and Brooklyn Aces are swapping names for the 2025 MLP season. D.C. becomes the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, while Brooklyn takes over the D.C. Pickleball Team name. Other teams, including the Carolina Hogs, Phoenix Flames, and Nashville Chefs, are also rebranding before the MLP Orlando event in April.
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