The Carvana PPA Tour and MLP by Margaritaville complete their merger to form a unified professional pickleball company.
The leading professional pickleball organizations, the Carvana PPA Tour and MLP by Margaritaville, today announced the completion of their previously announced merger and the formation of a unified professional pickleball holding company. The consolidation is backed by a $75 million investment from private equity firm SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owners Tom Dundon and the Pardoe Family, and a roster of existing MLP team owners.
The merger combines the leading individual bracket-style tour and team-based formats, with the PPA Tour and MLP retaining their distinct brands and the formats fans and players enjoy.
More than 150 professional players, including the top ranked players in the world, have signed multi-year contracts with the new entity, many set to participate in an expanded calendar combining individual (PPA Tour) and team (MLP) events. Combined annual player payouts in 2024 are expected to increase by nearly 250 percent compared to 2023.
Today is an exciting day for everyone involved or interested in the world of pickleball. MLP and the PPA Tour working as partners creates a sustainable, viable, and healthy ecosystem in which the best players in the world can play in both thrilling formats.
Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO, PPA Tour
This merger signals the next phase of growth for professional pickleball, and the combined resources and networks of the PPA Tour and MLP will support the sport at all levels. While unified through a parent company, the PPA Tour and MLP will maintain their distinct brands.
Bruce Popko, CEO, MLP
The 2024 Carvana PPA Tour features 25 tournaments, culminating with the PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente, California, on December 5 to 8. The 2024 MLP season features regular season events, the Mid-Season Tournament in July, and the Playoffs in November. The league's 24 teams will be divided across two levels, Premier and Challenger.
The parent company's board of directors and team owners include Jason Stein from SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, Matt Turney from Dundon Capital Partners, MLP team owner Julio DePietro, and former Goldman Sachs partner Brian Levine.
MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) is the preeminent team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 24 teams, a coed format, easy-to-understand scoring, iconic team owners, and electric live events. Founded in 2021, MLP named Margaritaville its first title sponsor in December 2022.
Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is where pickleball's top athletes go head-to-head to determine the best male and female players in the world. The Tour organizes tournaments at world-class facilities across the country, establishes player rankings, and invites amateurs to play where the pros play across divisions for every age and skill level. ppatour.com