Rianna Valdes’ Battle With Major League Pickleball: Professional pickleball and tennis athlete Rianna Valdes will have her legal case against Major League Pickleball decided by an arbitrator, not a jury. This decision was made on Wednesday, June 18, by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lynne M. Hobbs, who approved the league’s request to move the lawsuit into arbitration.
Claims Against Major League Pickleball
Rianna Valdes filed a lawsuit against Major League Pickleball in November 2023. She claimed wrongful termination, fraud, breach of contract, failure to pay wages, and unfair business practices. She said she was fired in 2024 after asking for unpaid wages. Her contract promised her $150,000 per year from 2024 to 2026.
The judge paused the court case while the arbitration process took place. A status meeting is set for December 18, 2025.
Contract Details and Allegations
Major League Pickleball was created in 2021 and now includes about 100 top athletes. Players are divided into Premier and Challenger levels. Rianna Valdes was one of the pros signed under a standard contract that all players must agree to.
Valdes said she was treated as an independent contractor, even though her contract required her to follow many rules. She had to attend MLP events, ask permission to play in outside events, promote the league, and get approval for endorsements.
She said MLP failed to send her $12,500 monthly checks in 2024. When she asked for payment, the league responded by saying she didn’t attend “any required event,” without giving details. She said they later sent her a termination letter in July 2024 without paying the money she was owed.
Financial Motives Behind Termination
Valdes claims that Major League Pickleball was having money problems. She believes the league tried to buy out her contract at a low price. When she didn’t agree, she was fired.
According to the lawsuit, “When Valdes refused to accept a lowball offer to buy her agreement, she received a letter terminating her agreement.”
MLP lawyers said Valdes signed an agreement in August 2023 requiring disputes to go through arbitration instead of court. The judge agreed with this, putting the case into the hands of a private arbitrator.
News in Brief: Rianna Valdes’ Battle With Major League Pickleball
Professional athlete Rianna Valdes sued Major League Pickleball for wrongful firing and unpaid wages. A judge ruled her case must go to arbitration. Valdes says she was terminated after refusing a low offer to cancel her contract. The next court update is set for December 18, 2025.