Major League Pickleball Revises ‘Steal’ Rule and Waiver Periods: What You Need to Know

In a recent development that has caught the attention of pickleball enthusiasts and professionals alike, Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced significant changes to its waiver policy for the 2025 season. These modifications, communicated through a media email on Friday, mark the second update to the competition rules since the beginning of the year. The changes primarily focus on two key aspects: the number of Premier Level Waiver Periods and the destination of waiver bid payments.

Key Changes to MLP’s Waiver Policy

The two main alterations to the waiver policy are as follows:

1. Reduction in Premier Level Waiver Periods: The number of Premier Level Waiver Periods has been reduced from four to two. This change aims to streamline the process and potentially increase team stability throughout the season.
2. Redirection of Waiver Bid Payments: In a move that significantly impacts team finances, waiver bid amounts will now be paid directly to the team from which a claimed player is taken, rather than to the league itself. This change could incentivize teams to develop talent and potentially create a more dynamic player market.

These modifications come as part of MLP’s ongoing efforts to refine its competition structure and enhance the overall quality of play in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball.

The Evolution of MLP’s 2025 Season Rules

To fully appreciate the significance of these changes, it’s essential to understand the timeline of MLP’s rule updates for the 2025 season:

January 22, 2025: Initial Announcement

MLP kicked off the year by announcing updates to the competition structure for 2025. These initial changes set the stage for what would be a year of ongoing refinements to the league’s operational framework. For a comprehensive overview of these updates, you can refer to The Dink Pickleball’s coverage of the 2025 competition updates.

February 26, 2025: Introduction of Four Premier Level Waiver Periods

In late February, MLP announced the addition of four Premier Level Waiver Periods, scheduled as follows:

• 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)

This change was implemented with the goal of ensuring all deserving players receive adequate playing time while simultaneously improving the overall quality of the league. For more details on these changes and their potential impact on the Premier Level draft, check out The Dink Pickleball’s analysis of the ‘steal’ rule.

April 14, 2025: Latest Policy Revisions

The most recent update, which is the focus of this article, further refines the waiver system. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of these changes and their potential implications for teams and players.

Detailed Breakdown of the New Premier Level Waiver Periods

With the reduction to two Premier Level Waiver Periods, the schedule for these crucial events has been revised as follows:

Premier Level Waiver Period #1

• Tuesday, May 6: Premier teams declare 5th and 6th players by Noon ET
• Wednesday, May 7: MLP shares available player pool with Premier teams by Noon ET
• Thursday, May 8: Premier teams submit waiver bids via Dutch Auction by noon ET
• Friday, May 9: MLP shares waiver selection order by Noon ET (picks cannot be traded)
• Monday, May 12: Premier Level Waivers #1 begins at Noon ET (one round)

Premier Level Waiver Period #2

• Tuesday, June 10: Premier teams declare 5th and 6th players by Noon ET
• Wednesday, June 11: MLP shares available player pool with Premier teams by Noon ET
• Thursday, June 12: Premier teams submit waiver bids via Dutch Auction by Noon ET
• Friday, June 13: MLP shares waiver selection order by Noon ET (picks cannot be traded)
• Monday, June 16: Premier Level Waivers #2 begins at Noon ET (one round)

It’s worth noting that the Challenger Level Waiver Period remains unchanged from the initial 2025 rules announcement, with a single waiver period scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th.

Implications and Analysis of the Policy Changes

These latest modifications to the MLP waiver system address two primary concerns that had been voiced by team sources:

1. The previous system included too many waiver periods where the 5th and 6th players could be taken from teams.
2. Under the old rules, payments for “stolen” players were directed to the league rather than to the teams losing those players.

By reducing the number of waiver periods and redirecting waiver bid payments to the teams losing players, MLP has taken significant steps to address these issues. These changes are likely to have several positive effects on the league:

1. Increased Team Stability

With fewer opportunities for players to be claimed by other teams, there’s a higher likelihood of roster consistency throughout the season. This stability can lead to better team chemistry and potentially higher-quality play as teammates have more time to develop their on-court relationships.

2. Financial Incentives for Player Development

By ensuring that teams receive compensation when their players are claimed through waivers, MLP has created a financial incentive for teams to invest in player development. This could lead to a more competitive league overall as teams strive to cultivate talent that other teams might want to acquire.

3. Enhanced Fan Experience

Greater team continuity is likely to benefit fans as well. With players more likely to remain with their teams throughout the season, fans can develop stronger connections to specific team rosters and follow their favorite players more easily.

4. Strategic Roster Management

The new system may encourage more strategic thinking from team management. With only two waiver periods and financial implications for losing players, teams may be more careful about which players they protect and which they leave available for waivers.

Contextualizing the Changes: MLP’s Growth and Evolution

These policy updates come at a time of significant growth and change for Major League Pickleball. The league has been making strides to establish itself as the premier professional pickleball organization, attracting high-profile investors and sponsors. For instance, MLP recently announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with DoorDash, resulting in a league rebranding to “MLP Presented by DoorDash.” You can read more about this partnership and its implications in The Dink Pickleball’s coverage of the MLP-DoorDash deal.

Such high-profile partnerships underscore the growing mainstream appeal of pickleball and the increasing professionalization of the sport. In this context, the refinement of league rules and policies, such as these waiver system changes, can be seen as part of MLP’s broader strategy to create a sustainable and competitive professional pickleball ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: Potential Impact on the 2025 Season

As the 2025 MLP season approaches, these policy changes are likely to influence team strategies and player movements in several ways:

1. More Thoughtful Waiver Claims

With only two waiver periods and financial implications for claiming players, teams may be more selective about which players they attempt to acquire through waivers. This could lead to more strategic roster moves rather than frequent player turnover.

2. Increased Value of Draft Picks

The reduced opportunities to acquire players through waivers may increase the importance of the initial draft. Teams might place even greater emphasis on making the right selections during the draft, knowing they’ll have fewer chances to adjust their rosters later in the season.

3. Potential for More Trades

With fewer waiver periods, teams looking to make roster changes might turn more frequently to trades. This could lead to a more active trade market throughout the season.

4. Focus on Player Development

The financial incentive for developing players who might be claimed by other teams could lead to increased investment in coaching and training programs. Teams might focus more on nurturing young talent or helping established players refine their skills.

Understanding the Changes: A Guide for New Pickleball Fans

For those who may be new to professional pickleball or unfamiliar with the intricacies of league management, here’s a simplified explanation of what these changes mean:

Imagine Major League Pickleball as a professional sports league, similar to the NBA or NFL, but for pickleball. In any professional league, there needs to be a system for teams to acquire new players or change their rosters during the season. This is where the waiver system comes in.

The waiver system allows teams to claim players who aren’t currently on any team’s active roster. Previously, MLP had four periods during the season when teams could do this. Now, they’ve reduced it to just two periods. This means there will be fewer opportunities for teams to change their players during the season.

Additionally, when a team claims a player through waivers, they have to pay for that player. Before this change, that money went to the league. Now, it will go to the team that originally had the player. This is a bit like a transfer fee in soccer – it compensates the original team for losing a valuable player.

These changes are designed to make the league more stable and strategic. Teams will have to be more careful about which players they try to acquire, and they’ll have more incentive to develop their own players rather than constantly looking to get new ones from other teams.

For fans, this likely means you’ll see more consistent team rosters throughout the season, which can make it easier to follow and support your favorite teams and players.

Conclusion: A Step Towards a More Stable and Strategic MLP

The latest updates to Major League Pickleball’s waiver policy represent a significant shift in how the league manages player movement and team composition. By reducing the number of waiver periods and adjusting the financial structure of waiver claims, MLP aims to create a more stable environment for teams and players alike.

These changes reflect the league’s responsiveness to feedback from teams and its commitment to continually refining its operational framework. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity and the professional side of the sport evolves, we can likely expect further adjustments and innovations from MLP and other professional pickleball organizations.

For players, these changes may provide more stability and potentially new financial opportunities. For teams, they offer both challenges and opportunities in terms of roster management and player development. And for fans, they promise a more consistent and potentially more engaging viewing experience throughout the season.

As the 2025 MLP season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these policy changes impact the league’s competitive landscape and overall development. Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball fan or a newcomer to the sport, these evolving dynamics add an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be an exciting year for professional pickleball.