On The Front Lines of the Merger w/Tim Parks | The Future of MLP & Winning Challenger - Ep. 28
Oct 9, 2023
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Tim Parks, owner of the SoCal Hard Eights and instrumental figure in the growth of Major League Pickleball, joins the podcast. They discuss topics like drafting players, relegation/promotion debates, negotiation tactics, future of MLP, PPA events after merger, inflated contracts and player compensation, potential move to Dallas, and analyzing the differences between side out scoring and Riley's scoring.
The merger between MLP and PPA aims to create a blend of team and tour events, balancing excitement and competitiveness for players and fans.
Player contracts and salaries have increased significantly after the merger, with overall compensation higher than ever before.
Details about the remaining MLP events and potential alignment with PPA events are yet to be confirmed, requiring further announcements.
The Heart Eights team shows great potential for success with their strong second place in the league standings and talented roster.
Deep dives
The merger and its impact
The merger between MLP and PPA has been a significant event in pickleball, benefiting both players and fans. The merger aims to create a blend of team and tour events, with the PPA bringing its operational expertise to MLP events. The schedule for 2024 is still being worked out, with plans for approximately 10 team events and 10 tour events. The focus is on creating a balance between the two formats, providing a mix of excitement and competitiveness for players and fans.
Player salaries and contracts
Player contracts and salaries have been a topic of discussion, with some players feeling underpaid or dissatisfied with their contracts. However, overall, players have benefited greatly from the merger, with significantly increased earnings compared to other sports. While there may be some envy or dissatisfaction over certain contracts, the players' overall compensation is higher than ever before. The focus now is on the sustainability and efficiency of player contracts in order to make them economically viable for the sport.
Upcoming MLP events
There are two more MLP events scheduled for this year, but details about their location and format are still being determined. There are discussions about potentially aligning MLP events with PPA events to leverage the operational expertise of the PPA and create a more efficient and sustainable model. However, no definite plans have been confirmed yet, and it's advisable to wait for further announcements regarding the specifics of these events.
Heart Eights' prospects
As for the Heart Eights team, they currently hold a strong second place in the league standings, showing great potential for success. With their talented roster and experienced ownership, they are well-positioned to be a top contender in upcoming competitions. The team's performance and strategies will determine their ultimate success, and the future looks promising for the Heart Eights.
Scoring Systems and Perception of Winning
In the podcast episode, the discussion revolves around the scoring systems used in pickleball and how they impact the perception of winning. It is pointed out that in rally scoring, the better team doesn't always win, but it happens more frequently than in traditional scoring. The average number of rallies per game is similar between the two systems, suggesting that they have comparable impacts on the outcome. The conversation also touches upon the idea of adjusting the number of games played in a match to create more suspense and upsets, similar to tennis grand slams.
The Advantage of Getting to Game Point First
Another topic discussed in the podcast is the advantage of getting to game point first. It is agreed upon that the team that reaches game point first should have a high probability of winning the match, ranging from 85% to 90%. In the context of rally scoring, it is revealed that the team that reaches game point first wins approximately 89% of the time, a statistic that supports the idea that it is indeed an advantage.
MLP Growth and Tournament Structure
The podcast also looks at the growth and structure of Major League Pickleball (MLP). It is mentioned that MLP has increased the number of events from one to six in a year, and there is ongoing discussion about finding the optimal number of tournaments for the best spectator experience and financial success. The idea of having fewer but larger tournaments with higher stakes and better quality is considered as a potential direction for improvement in the future. The goal is to strike a balance between providing a dramatic and suspenseful experience while ensuring the better players still have an advantage.
The boys are back with a second episode this week with special guest Tim Parks!
Tim Parks is the owner of the SoCal Hard Eights and has been an instrumental figure in the growth and development of Major League Pickleball. He was one of key negotiators on the front lines of the PPA & MLP Merger and is also an avid participant of the sport.
Let us know what topics we should cover in future episodes, thanks for following along! -------------------- Website: https://www.tylerloong.com/
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