**MLP Seeking Compensation Reductions**
*Professional Pickleball Players Asked to Take Pay Cuts*
The rapid growth of pickleball in recent years may be taking a hit as Major League Pickleball (MLP) has proposed a significant reduction in compensation for its players. According to an email obtained by CNBC, the league is requesting that players agree to a 40% cut in pay in exchange for a reduction in their work obligations.
**Proposed Compensation Cuts**
The email sent to players outlines the league’s plan to reduce the players’ annual workdays from 200 to 120, with a corresponding reduction in their salaries. It also states that players would be free to monetize the remaining 245 days of the calendar year on their own, with 100% of any earnings on those days going directly to the players. In exchange for consenting to the pay cuts, the players would be guaranteed a minimum of 10 slots in PPA events.
MLP also announced its intention to reduce operational and event-related costs for 2024, and revealed that it has parted ways with Commissioner Brooks Wiley. This follows the resignation of founder Steve Kuhn in October.
**Mixed Reactions**
The news of the compensation reductions has been met with mixed reactions from professional pickleball players. While some players have expressed concerns about the fairness of the proposed cuts, others believe that the reductions are necessary for the long-term sustainability of the league.
Thomas Wilson, a two-time Major League Pickleball Champion, stated that he believes the players are already being paid “more than fairly” even with the proposed cuts. He expressed optimism that most players are on board with the plan to move forward together for the benefit of everyone.
**Future of the Sport**
Despite the uncertainty surrounding player compensation, Laura Vossberg Gainor, founder of a pickleball marketing agency, remains optimistic about the future of the sport. She noted that the surge in the value of players’ personal brands has intensified the off-court rivalry among brands competing for product endorsements.
This proposed pay cut comes at a time when professional pickleball has seen significant growth in all areas. The news of the compensation reductions comes as Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association are on the verge of finalizing a merger agreement. It remains to be seen how the players will respond to the league’s proposal and what impact it will have on the future of professional pickleball.
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