
Profitability and expansion could be on the horizon for MLP
On Tuesday, CNBC writer Jessica Golden reported that Major League Pickleball is expected to make a profit later this year and seek expansion as well.
Golden received information from a league source, who chose to remain anonymous.
"The MLP, which started in 2021, is targeting profitability at the league level by the fourth quarter of this year," she wrote. "On a team-by-team basis, two of the league’s 22 clubs are profitable and one has reached the breakeven point... The league is targeting average profitability for individual teams by 2027."
Apparently, MLP plans on selling a maximum of two expansion franchises that would ultimately commence play in 2026.
"It is unclear how much a new team would go for, but the league is targeting around $15 million per franchise," wrote Golden. "If a deal for an expansion team does happen, the new owner would determine the team’s location. Franchise interest remains high with nearly two dozen parties expressing interest over the past two weeks."
MLP will feature 22 teams this season - 16 in Premier and 6 in Challenger.
Golden also cited a presentation that suggests MLP is actively promoting investment from outside parties.
"The league touts the opportunity to invest in an asset class of sports with double-digit annual growth and the ability to capture additional revenue opportunities across sponsorship, hosting events and local activations," she wrote.
Golden cites one particular line from the presentation, too.
“This is a once in a generation moment to get involved early with a sport that is bound for success,” she shared.
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