2025 MLP Free Agency: Live Coverage and Analysis

The highly anticipated Major League Pickleball (MLP) Premier Free Agency Draft for 2025 has arrived, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s professional landscape. As pickleball enthusiasts and industry insiders eagerly await the results, we’re providing comprehensive, real-time coverage of this landmark event. Taking place on Sunday, March 2nd, at Noon EST, this draft promises to reshape team rosters and potentially alter the competitive balance of the league.

Understanding the MLP Draft System

For those new to the MLP draft process or pickleball in general, it’s essential to understand the significance of this event. The MLP Free Agency Draft allows teams to select top talent from a pool of available players, each assigned a point value based on their skill level and previous performance. Teams must strategically use their allocated points to build a competitive roster while staying within the league’s salary cap-like system.

This draft system not only ensures a level of parity among teams but also adds an extra layer of excitement and strategy to the off-season. Teams must balance selecting high-point, star players with finding value in lower-point athletes who could potentially outperform their assigned value.

Premier Level Draft Coverage

As the draft unfolds, we’re witnessing some intriguing selections that are sure to have a significant impact on the upcoming MLP season. Let’s dive into the picks and provide some analysis on the potential implications for each team.

Top Picks Analysis

The St. Louis Shock kicked off the draft by selecting Kate Fahey with the first overall pick, investing a substantial 130,000 points in the talented player. This move signals the Shock’s intent to build their team around a strong female competitor, potentially aiming to dominate in mixed doubles events.

Following closely, the Dallas Flash opted for Augie Ge, spending 100,000 points on a player known for his dynamic playstyle and court coverage. This selection could provide the Flash with a versatile athlete capable of excelling in both singles and doubles formats.

The Columbus Sliders made a bold move by drafting Lea Jansen for 110,000 points. Jansen’s aggressive playing style and powerful shots could make her a cornerstone for the Sliders’ offensive strategy in the upcoming season.

Not to be outdone, the D.C. Pickleball Team secured Riley Newman, also for 110,000 points. Newman’s consistent performance and strategic gameplay make him a valuable asset, potentially elevating D.C.’s chances in tight matches.

Mid-Round Surprises

As the draft progressed, we saw some interesting developments in the middle rounds. The Chicago Slice made a series of strategic picks, selecting James Ignatowich (90,000 points), Vivienne David (80,000 points), Max Freeman (80,000 points), and Callie Smith (70,000 points). This balanced approach could provide the Slice with a well-rounded team capable of adapting to various opponents and playing styles.

The Phoenix Flames turned heads by drafting Jack Sock for 100,000 points. Sock, known for his tennis background, brings a wealth of professional sports experience to the Flames, which could prove invaluable in high-pressure situations.

Another notable selection was the LA Mad Drops’ choice of Quang Duong for 80,000 points. Duong’s rising status in the pickleball world makes this pick a potential steal, as he could outperform his point value if his rapid improvement continues.

Late Round Value Picks

As teams began to feel the squeeze of their remaining points, we saw some intriguing value picks in the later rounds. The New York Hustlers made a series of calculated moves, selecting Zane Ford and Donald Young for 30,000 points each, followed by Helena Spiridis and Domi Schaefer for 20,000 points each. This strategy of acquiring multiple lower-point players could provide the Hustlers with depth and flexibility in their lineup.

The Miami Pickleball Club also made some savvy late-round selections, picking up Mya Bui for 20,000 points and Jay Devilliers for 30,000 points. These choices could give Miami some unexpected firepower at a relatively low point cost.

Substitute Player Draft

Following the main draft, teams turned their attention to selecting substitute players. This phase of the draft is crucial for building depth and having contingency plans for injuries or strategic substitutions during the season.

Notable substitute selections included:

• St. Louis Shock drafting Felicity Di Laura for 10,100 points
• Texas Ranchers selecting Michael Loyd and Helena Jansen for 10,000 points each
• D.C. Pickleball Team adding Hannah Blatt to their roster for 10,000 points

These substitute picks demonstrate teams’ efforts to create well-rounded rosters capable of handling the rigors of a full MLP season.

Team-by-Team Roster Breakdown

With the draft concluded, let’s take a closer look at how each team’s roster has shaped up:

Atlanta Bouncers

The Bouncers made some interesting choices, including the addition of Victoria DiMuzio for 70,000 points and former tennis pro Sam Querrey as a substitute for 5,000 points. This mix of established pickleball talent and crossover athletes could make Atlanta a team to watch.

Carolina Pickleball Club

Carolina took a more conservative approach, with their highest pick being Tammy Emmrich for 10,000 points. They rounded out their roster with substitute picks like Liz Truluck and Brandon French, both for 1,000 points each.

Chicago Slice

As mentioned earlier, Chicago made a series of strategic picks throughout the draft, building a balanced team with a mix of high and mid-point value players. Their late addition of Carlos Di Laura as a substitute for 1,000 points adds depth to an already strong roster.

Columbus Sliders

Led by their top pick Lea Jansen, the Sliders focused on building a competitive team while also securing solid substitute options like Roscoe Bellamy and Marcela Hones.

D.C. Pickleball Team

With Riley Newman as their cornerstone pick, D.C. built a roster that balances star power with strategic depth, including substitute picks like Hannah Blatt and Pat Smith.

Dallas Flash

Augie Ge headlines a Dallas roster that seems focused on versatility, with late-round picks like DJ Young and Tatiana Ruhl rounding out their team.

LA Mad Drops

The Mad Drops’ strategy appears to revolve around finding value, with Quang Duong as their top pick and interesting substitute selections like Thomas Wilson and Angie Walker.

Miami Pickleball Club

Miami’s draft strategy focused on building a team with a mix of established talent like Jay Devilliers and up-and-coming players such as Mya Bui and Ava Ignatowich.

New Jersey 5s

The 5s made a splash by drafting former tennis star Genie Bouchard for 90,000 points, signaling their intent to leverage crossover appeal and athletic prowess.

New York Hustlers

New York’s strategy of acquiring multiple mid to low-point value players could pay off if these athletes outperform expectations. Their roster depth could be a significant advantage as the season progresses.

Orlando Squeeze

Orlando focused on building a solid foundation with picks like Samantha Parker (30,000 points) while also securing substitute depth with Tom Evans and Alli Phillips.

Phoenix Flames

Jack Sock headlines a Phoenix roster that seems designed to make an immediate impact, with strategic substitute picks adding depth to their lineup.

SoCal Hard Eights

SoCal’s draft strategy focused on finding value in the later rounds, with picks like Ivan Jakovljevic and Ryan Fu potentially offering high returns on their point investment.

St. Louis Shock

With Kate Fahey as their centerpiece, St. Louis built a roster that combines top-tier talent with strategic depth, including solid substitute options like Erik Lange.

Texas Ranchers

Texas took a balanced approach, with Noe Khlif as their top pick at 50,000 points and a focus on building a deep roster with their substitute selections.

Utah Black Diamonds

Utah’s strategy seemed to prioritize finding value, with Mehvish Safdar as their top pick at 50,000 points and interesting substitute choices like Genie Erokhina and Yates Johnson.

Draft Impact and Future Implications

As the dust settles on the 2025 MLP Free Agency Draft, it’s clear that teams have taken diverse approaches to building their rosters. Some opted for star power, investing heavily in top picks, while others focused on depth and potential value picks. The true impact of these decisions will only become apparent as the season unfolds.

Several key storylines to watch include:

• How will high-profile crossover athletes like Jack Sock and Genie Bouchard adapt to the professional pickleball circuit?
• Can teams that focused on depth, like the New York Hustlers, leverage their roster flexibility to gain an advantage over star-heavy lineups?
• Will any late-round or substitute picks emerge as breakout stars, potentially altering the balance of power in the league?

The 2025 MLP season promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with this draft laying the foundation for intense competition and potentially reshaping the pickleball landscape. As teams begin to integrate their new players and develop strategies around their revamped rosters, fans can look forward to a thrilling season of professional pickleball action.

Stay tuned for more analysis, player interviews, and pre-season coverage as we approach the start of what’s sure to be an unforgettable MLP season.