Teams Can Now ‘Steal’ Players in Major League Pickleball

Major League Pickleball (MLP) is implementing three new rules for 2025.

The changes, posted to their website’s 2025 Competition Structure Overview, were updated as of Feb. 21, 2025.

MLP told The Dink that these changes are being put in place to allow for all deserving players to receive playing time while improving the league’s overall product quality.

First, a new rule regarding the upcoming draft on Sunday, March 2nd.

All teams must have four (4) players rostered – two (2) men and two (2) women – before any team is allowed to bid on a draft selection slot for their fifth player.

Second, a new rule allowing for four waiver periods at the Premier Level; previously, there was just one waiver period:

• Premier Level Waivers #1: Tuesday, May 6 (after MLP Columbus)
• Premier Level Waivers #2: Tuesday, June 3 (after MLP Phoenix)
• Premier Level Waivers #3: Tuesday, July 1 (after MLP San Clemente)
• Premier Level Waivers #4: Tuesday, July 15 (after Mid-Season Tournament)

These dates, we’re told, are all subject to change.

Lastly, and perhaps most consequentially, there’s now the opportunity to source, or “steal”, another team’s 5th or 6th slotted player.

According to MLP:

Teams will designate their top four (4) players on the Monday following an event, and all teams’…