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sportsFeb 3, 20251:08:35pending

Zane holds nothing back. Debating new pickleball policies with UPA exec.

PicklePod

About this episode

Samin Odhwani is the newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer at the United Pickleball Association. Heading into his first year in the role Samin and the team at UPA gave Major League Pickleball a major overhaul. Zane and Thomas run through the changes that include a switch from rally to side-out scoring, an addition of 2 players to each premier level roster, and exclusive contracts that require planned be signed to UPA in order to play MLP. Plus for the first time ever, MLP team owners will have control of events in their home city. Will any team take the opportunity to blow pickleball out of the water? As reported by CNBC, each team has the chance to reach profitability on their own terms. For some that includes renting out an airplane hanger for a Lil Wayne concert. Who will top that in 2025? Get your BioBalls at http://komodopickleball.com/ Let’s keep our courts green, one rally at a time. Ditch the slip-n-slide and grab some 4on TotalGrip Spray. Find it on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/4on-Total-Grip-Spray-Pickleball/dp/B0CDQSZ61M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A2GTY0IXP720&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lApjO6QjNRWGEN536a4n4xOiruibPTkBAkb75FZX5dHxxFcOWb54K5Dk7rw2PPjjhMdCVWPe5RUlgnYS46GmNYjZ9n-snmPHQG-RqiQOip63yU9bUwqKnDz3o8BvRYsAKnkCUOyfhYVtpKpinHBkRM9I_0sAx-2Q7N2V349YiaDYgZ850wiwx5kIHaZMmP8mWtdWStcYbzr-BaCeSCF3UTcA-q-cf0F2sUB0NICnoYZyTqvSvzuQSR3QK77SUnVf.0Nq2fjcVYIAaS8ov0J7d8LaJjbEe562Do9CaWnluyFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=4on+totalgrip+spray&qid=1737993916&sprefix=4on%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1 Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/ Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299 ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG -Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi... -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 Infinity new rules for MLP 3:17 What’s wrong with ‘festival style’? 5:05 Where’s the sweet spot in schedule length? 6:43 What the hell is up with the new scoring? 13:03 Pickleball needs to solve awareness first 18:51 Only UPA-contracted players can participate in MLP events 24:10 Case study for Sofia Sewing deciding to sign or remain a free agent 27:32 What does an entry-level contract look like? 31:44 When contracts expire will the structure switch back to incentive-based? 33:14 Rosters are expanding from 4 to 6 players 40:30 CNBC article indicates two teams profitable, looking to add two teams 46:50 Viewership numbers from PickleballTV and YouTube 57:40 What is the sales outlook for expansion franchises? 1:05:40 Any regrets on the Twitter beef with Jilly B? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Zane holds nothing back. Debating new pickleball policies with UPA exec.

PicklePod

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