🏆 Columbus Sliders Win MLP Title + $13M Franchise Sale

What an electrifying week for pickleball! The Columbus Sliders captured the Major League Pickleball championship in dramatic fashion, drawing a record-breaking 433,000 viewers on CBS - the second-most watched professional pickleball match ever! Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Mad Drops franchise sale at a staggering $13 million valuation signals the sport's explosive commercial growth. Let's dive into all the action from this landmark week in professional pickleball.

The pickleball world is buzzing with championship fever and major business developments that showcase our sport's unstoppable momentum. From Central Park's iconic courts to the Las Vegas Strip, professional pickleball continues to break new ground and capture mainstream attention.

🏆 Tournament Highlights

The Major League Pickleball Finals delivered championship drama at CityPickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park, where the fifth-seeded Columbus Sliders defeated the New Jersey 5s in a thrilling best-of-three series. The Sliders' incredible playoff run showcased the competitive balance of MLP's team format, proving that regular season seeding doesn't determine championship destiny.

In Challenger Level action, the Las Vegas Night Owls defeated the Nashville Chefs to earn promotion to Premier Level for the 2026 season. This victory demonstrates the depth of talent across all MLP tiers and creates exciting opportunities for Las Vegas fans to experience top-tier professional pickleball.

The PPA Tour Walgreens Open kicked off on August 27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring comprehensive broadcast coverage across Tennis Channel, FS2, and FS1. This multi-network approach highlights pickleball's growing media presence and ability to attract diverse broadcast partners.

📈 Industry & Business News

The Los Angeles Mad Drops franchise sale to Mad Drippin SPV, LLC at a $13 million valuation marks a watershed moment for professional pickleball economics. New owner Alex Geesbreght, who also owns PRAX Leadership, brings substantial business expertise to the franchise. This transaction establishes new benchmarks for MLP franchise values and demonstrates growing investor confidence in professional pickleball's commercial viability.

Television viewership reached new heights as CBS's broadcast of the MLP Finals attracted 433,000 average viewers, making it the second-most watched professional pickleball match in history. This achievement validates major network investment in pickleball programming and creates momentum for expanded broadcast partnerships.

The multi-platform media strategy continues to evolve, with streaming service Pickleballtv providing comprehensive coverage alongside traditional broadcasts. This approach maximizes content availability while serving different viewer preferences across demographics.

🌍 Global Pickleball Growth

Participation statistics reveal pickleball maintains its position as America's fastest-growing sport, with approximately 19.8 million Americans playing in 2024. The demographic shift is particularly notable, with the average player age dropping to 35 years old and adults aged 25-34 representing the largest participant segment.

Tournament participation continues surging, with over 45,000 players competing in organized events across America. USA Pickleball reported an 85% increase in tournament requests between 2018-2024, reflecting growing competitive interest and expanding infrastructure.

International expansion accelerates as countries worldwide recognize pickleball's accessibility and community-building potential. This global growth creates opportunities for cultural exchange and competitive development that benefit the entire pickleball ecosystem.

⚖️ Rules & Regulations

The implementation of USA Pickleball's 2025 rulebook brings significant equipment changes, with several paddle models being sunset from sanctioned play effective July 1, 2025. The new Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution (PBCoR) standard affects models from major manufacturers including Joola, Gearbox, and ProKennex.

Rally scoring is now available as a provisional option for certain doubles formats and recreational play, though traditional side-out scoring remains the official method. This dual-format approach allows experimentation while maintaining established competitive standards.

Tournament organizers gain flexibility with rally scoring restricted to round-robin and team play formats, while USA Pickleball National Championships qualification events maintain traditional scoring requirements.

🎯 Player Spotlight

The Columbus Sliders' championship team demonstrated exceptional resilience throughout their playoff journey, overcoming their fifth-seed status to capture the title. Their success exemplifies the importance of team chemistry and strategic depth in MLP's unique format.

Young talent continues emerging across professional tours, with players in the 25-34 age bracket increasingly dominating competitive fields. This generational shift brings new energy and athleticism to professional pickleball while maintaining the sport's strategic elements.

The championship environment at Central Park provided an iconic backdrop for players to showcase their skills on the sport's biggest stage, creating memorable moments that will inspire the next generation of competitive players.

📅 Upcoming Events

The PPA Tour Walgreens Open continues through August 31 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with finals matches scheduled for comprehensive broadcast coverage across multiple networks. The event promises exciting competition as top professionals compete for significant prize money.

Players and equipment manufacturers should note the July 1, 2025 deadline for paddle certification changes, allowing time for equipment transitions and compliance with new PBCoR standards.

What an incredible week for our sport! From championship victories to record-breaking viewership and groundbreaking business developments, pickleball continues its remarkable journey into mainstream sports consciousness. Whether you're drilling your dinks or perfecting your erne, remember that you're part of the fastest-growing sport in America. See you on the courts, San Diego!