First Premier Level Waiver Period Review: A Deep Dive into Major League Pickleball’s Latest Innovation
The world of Major League Pickleball (MLP) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with the introduction of the first Premier Level Waiver period marking yet another significant milestone in the sport’s professional landscape. This comprehensive review will explore the intricacies of this new system, its impact on teams and players, and what it means for the future of competitive pickleball.
Understanding the Premier Level Waiver Period
The Premier Level Waiver period is a novel concept in MLP, designed to ensure that top-tier talent remains active and competitive throughout the season. This system allows teams to potentially acquire players from other rosters, promoting a dynamic and flexible approach to team composition. Let’s break down the key components of this new rule:
The Evolution of MLP Rules
The journey to the current waiver system began earlier this year with several significant changes to the MLP structure. On January 22, 2025, MLP announced major updates for the 2025 season, including:
- Expansion of Premier Level team rosters from four to six players
- Implementation of side-out scoring, replacing the previous rally scoring system
- Introduction of the concept of player “stealing” between teams
These changes laid the groundwork for a more competitive and strategic league structure. The increased roster size, in particular, opened up new possibilities for team dynamics and player utilization.
The “Steal” Rule
On February 26, 2025, MLP introduced the controversial “steal” rule, allowing teams to claim players from other rosters during designated waiver periods. This rule was designed with several key stipulations:
- Teams must designate their top four players as “keepers” before each waiver period
- To claim a 5th or 6th player from another team, the claiming team must drop one of their keepers
- The purpose is to ensure top talent remains active in competition rather than sidelined
This rule sparked considerable debate within the pickleball community, with some praising its potential to maintain high-level competition and others expressing concern about team stability and player loyalty.
Refinement of the Waiver System
Responding to feedback and further strategic considerations, MLP announced additional changes to the waiver system on April 14, 2025. These updates included:
- Reduction of Premier Level Waiver periods from four to two per season
- Redirection of waiver bid money to the team losing a player, rather than to the league
These refinements aimed to balance the competitive advantages of the waiver system with the need for team cohesion and financial fairness.
The First Waiver Period: Dates and Deadlines
The inaugural Premier Level Waiver period followed a strict timeline, ensuring a fair and organized process for all teams involved:
- May 6: Premier teams declare their 5th and 6th players by Noon ET
- May 7: MLP shares the available player pool with Premier teams by Noon ET
- May 8: Premier teams submit waiver bids via Dutch Auction by noon ET
- May 9: MLP reveals the waiver selection order by Noon ET (picks cannot be traded)
- May 12: Premier Level Waivers #1 begins at Noon ET (one round)
This structured approach allowed teams ample time to strategize and make informed decisions about potential roster changes.
The Eligible Player Pool
The pool of eligible players for the waiver period primarily consisted of bench players from existing MLP teams and UPA-signed players not currently on MLP rosters. This created an interesting dynamic where teams could potentially upgrade their rosters with experienced MLP players or introduce fresh talent to the league.
Top Available Male Players
Among the standout male players available in the waiver pool were:
- Roscoe Bellamy (Columbus Sliders): A skilled right-side player in men’s doubles with a strong presence in mixed doubles
- Erik Lange (St. Louis Shock): An experienced and steady right-side player, effective in both men’s and mixed doubles despite being over 40
- Michael Loyd (Texas Ranchers): The top available left-side player for both men’s and mixed doubles
- Other notable free agents: AJ Koller, Greg Dow, and Martin Emmrich
Top Available Female Players
While the pool of available female players was somewhat smaller, it still included talented athletes like Helena Jansen from the Texas Ranchers, known for her athleticism and rapidly improving doubles game.
Strategic Bidding and Team Tactics
The SoCal Hard Eights emerged as the only team to submit a waiver claim in this first period, demonstrating a shrewd understanding of the new system. Their strategy involved:
- Naming Ivan Jakovljevic as a keeper instead of Ryan Fu or Blaine Hovenier
- Leaving Ryan Fu available in the waiver pool, betting that no other team would claim him
- Aiming to acquire a new player to replace Jakovljevic, potentially addressing lineup imbalances
This clever maneuvering allowed the Hard Eights to potentially upgrade their roster while minimizing the risk of losing key players. The lack of similar strategies from other teams, particularly those at the bottom of the standings, was surprising and may indicate missed opportunities for improvement.
The Outcome: Roscoe Bellamy Joins SoCal Hard Eights
As the dust settled on the first Premier Level Waiver period, the results were as follows:
- SoCal Hard Eights successfully claimed Roscoe Bellamy from the Columbus Sliders
- Ivan Jakovljevic was waived by SoCal to complete the transaction
- Columbus Sliders opted to pick up Ross Whittaker, a newly signed UPA player local to the Columbus area
These moves reshaped both teams’ rosters:
New SoCal Hard Eights Roster:
- Judit Castillo
- Irina Tereschenko
- Lauren Hidalgo-Smith
- Ryan Fu
- Blaine Hovenier
- Roscoe Bellamy
New Columbus Sliders Roster:
- Parris Todd
- Lea Jansen
- Marcela Hones
- Andrei Daescu
- CJ Klinger
- Ross Whittaker
Implications and Future Considerations
The inaugural Premier Level Waiver period has set a precedent for how teams might approach roster management in the future. Key takeaways include:
- The potential for strategic roster declarations to create opportunities for improvement
- The importance of balancing team chemistry with the pursuit of individual talent
- The possibility of more aggressive moves in future waiver periods as teams become more familiar with the system
As MLP teams prepare for the next (and final) Premier Level Waiver period in June, we can expect to see more strategic maneuvering and potentially bolder roster moves. The success of the SoCal Hard Eights’ strategy may inspire other teams, particularly those struggling in the standings, to take calculated risks in pursuit of improvement.
Conclusion: A New Era of Roster Dynamics in MLP
The introduction of the Premier Level Waiver period represents a significant evolution in Major League Pickleball’s approach to competition and team building. By allowing for mid-season roster adjustments, MLP has created a more dynamic and potentially more competitive environment. However, this system also presents challenges, requiring teams to balance the pursuit of talent with the need for team cohesion and chemistry.
As the 2025 MLP season progresses, all eyes will be on how teams adapt to this new system and whether it achieves its goal of elevating the overall level of play. The June waiver period will likely provide further insights into the long-term impact of this innovative approach to professional pickleball team management.
For fans and analysts alike, the Premier Level Waiver period adds an exciting new dimension to MLP, creating opportunities for strategic discussions and speculations about potential roster moves. As teams and players continue to navigate this new landscape, the world of professional pickleball remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever, promising an thrilling season ahead for players and spectators alike.
