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The 40% Cut: MLP can't pay up, and their plea to keep pro players

The 40% Cut: MLP can't pay up, and their plea to keep pro players

PLUS: Pickleball meets jails & fake paddles hit the marketplace

Welcome back, picklers.

Read time: 5 min

No time to waste. Let’s get into the scam of the pickleball century.

P.S. This isn’t a good look for pickleball 👀 👀

TODAY’S MENU

Daily Scoop: MLP cuts pro-player salaries by 40%
News Stash: Michigan’s new $7 million facility. Pickleball takes over jails. Guy Fieri’s son engaged to pro pickleball player.
Sizzling Skills: The backhand FAKEOUT
Kitchen Talk: Fake paddles just as good as the real thing?

DAILY SCOOP

MLP can’t pay up and cuts salaries by 40%…Is this a scam?

According to the Britannica dictionary, the word “scam” is defined as a dishonest way to make money by deceiving people.

Is it me, or does this story sound like a SCAM?

Let me fill you in.

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I’ve got to admit: when MLP and PPA were handing out 6-figure contracts like candy just a few months ago to secure pro players, I *kinda* knew that something like this would happen.

And guess what? It did.

On November 28th, word got out that MLP Pro players received an email notification requesting their consent to a proposed 40% pay reduction.

Why?

Well, there is a sneaking suspicion that the organization(s) don’t have the proposed $15 million budget to pay these players. (i.e. The negative consequences of throwing money at these players during the MLP vs PPA merger drama have finally caught up to them.)

And the players are taking the fall.

As of now, top players like Ben Johns and ALW are taking lead and have already agreed to the pay cuts, along with other PPA players.

Here’s what Ben Johns had to say about the news:

So what are the contractual obligations & proposed changes?

According to insider news, the current standard required work days for the year are 200. To keep it proportional, the required work days will also be reduced by 40%.

And regarding the pro events, MLP players who agree to the pay cut are guaranteed 10 slots in future PPA events. (i.e. more opportunities to win games and win money)

Those who do not consent are immediately placed in a “development program,” meaning they will not have to compete in any events outside of MLP events and will only have to take part in clinics or camps and make appearances.

The players have until December 1st, 2023, to agree to the pay and work reduction.

No one is sure how this will play out, but in a few weeks we will know.

Some predict that a class action lawsuit may be in the works, while others think that the best route to protect future contract negotiations is to form a union amongst the players.

Some on Twitter are not even surprised that this is happening, as pickleball is a business after all.

I will be following this news as more details surface. For now, it doesn’t look good for the pro sport.

Back to my original question: Did MPL scam their players?

Leave your thoughts below👇🏾

NEWS STASH

Michigan’s new $7 million facility

Happenings: Why does it seem like Michigan is getting all the wins this week?

In case you missed it, yes, the University of Michigan (30) beat The Ohio State University Buckeyes (24) this past Saturday.

In pickleball news, Michigan’s $7 million pickleball facility in Ann Arbor will be opening on December 1st. Not only will there be pickleball, but the facility will also house bocce ball, corn hole, volleyball, and beach volley ball.

The facility spans 39,000 square feet, offering 12 pickleball courts and a 30-tap self-serve beverage wall. Wow.

Alright, Michigan. Can I get an invite?

Pickleball welcomes inmates to the game

Happenings: I’ve never been so jealous of inmates.😱

In locked-up news, the Arlington County Detention Facility installed pickleball courts to keep its inmates entertained.

As part of a rehabilitation program, inmates were given the lowdown on the rules, free paddles, and the opportunity to participate in a tournament.

So far, so good: these new pickleballers now have a new hobby to obsess over once released.

Guy Fieri’s son engaged to pro pickleball player

Happenings: Guy Fieri…welcome to the pickleball family.

In a recent post on Instagram, Guy announced that his eldest son Hunter Fieri and pro-pickleball player Tara Bernstein are now engaged and set to be married.

After a little social media digging, it appears that the 2’s relationship started in February of this year.

All I have to say is this: the post-pickleball munchies are real, and Tara is the luckiest pickleball girl in the world.

Good for you, Tara. You will be fed well 😄