Talent
Knights , world-class boxing matches and an unlimited supply of year-round special events and exhibitions .
The first 48 players selected at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center comprised the Premier Level while the following 48 athletes were part of the Challenger Level . Twenty-four teams , some affectionately called the New York Hustlers , Florida Smash , Bay Area Breakers , AZ Drive , Las Vegas Night Owls and Chicago Slice among many others , are made up of four players : two women and two men . While most of the initial draftees in the Premier Level are some of the sport ’ s brightest stars , plans for the second season are to “ flip ” the teams and then conduct another draft in July . Other top draft picks included Zane Navratil , Lucy Kovalova , JW Johnson , Irina Tereschenko , Tyson McGuffin and Jay Devilliers . With Vegas as a backdrop , money is always the common denominator , and pickleball it now appears is no stranger to increasing payouts as MLP is expected to disperse up to $ 5 million among its combatants over the course of six events and two championships in 2023 . “ We ’ ve been growing MLP for just over a year and 2023 is going to be the year where we establish ourselves as a serious professional league with the best players , ownership and events ,” said MLP Founder and Chairman Steve Kuhn . “ We ’ ve expanded from eight teams and one event in 2021 to an astounding 24 teams , six events and up to $ 5 million in prize money and payouts in 2023 . Next year will be chock-full of exciting matches , dramatic storylines , beautiful venues , and memorable moments .”
The next event on the 2023 MLP schedule takes place March 23-26 in Daytona Beach , Florida , at Pictona at Holly Hill followed by June 15-18 in San Clemente , California , at Life Time Rancho San Clemente , and a
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MARCH / APRIL 2023 | MAGAZINE 37