The merger between Major League Pickleball and PPA Tour has finally been completed.

• The merger agreement between Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association has been finalized after a long wait.
• After months of conflict, the competing pickleball leagues have reached an agreement and will work together to determine the future of professional pickleball.
• A group consisting of private equity firm SC Holdings, Al Tylis, Tom Dundon, the Pardoe Family, and existing MLP team owners will invest $75 million in the consolidation of the Major League Pickleball Association (MLPA) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

The merger agreement between Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association has been completed, and new capital has been infused into the sport, the leagues announced on Thursday.

The two largest pickleball organizations will merge into a holding company, but will maintain their separate brands and formats. The name of the new company is yet to be determined.

After months of conflict, the competing pickleball leagues have reached an agreement and will work together to determine the future of professional pickleball.

A group consisting of private equity firm SC Holdings, Al Tylis, Tom Dundon, the Pardoe Family, and existing MLP team owners will invest $75 million in the consolidation of the Major League Pickleball Association (MLPA) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

"Today marks an exciting day for everyone involved or interested in the world of pickleball, as PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe announced a partnership between MLP and the PPA Tour," said PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe. "This collaboration creates a sustainable, viable, and healthy ecosystem for all key participants in which the best players in the world can play in both of the thrilling pickleball formats, ensuring that we're promoting the highest-quality, most exciting events."

The merger will unite over 150 professional pickleball players, including several world-renowned players, who have agreed to new multiyear contracts and will participate in a combined calendar featuring PPA Tour and MLP events.

While the PPA Tour is an individual bracket-style tournament, MLP is a team-based format.

The release predicts that combined payouts under the new unified organization will increase nearly 250% this year compared to last year.

After the merger's closing, several players revealed to CNBC that they are yet to receive payment for past tournaments.

One player remarked, "I'll believe it when they start compensating."

The combined organization is expected to enhance the professional sport by offering players, fans, and sponsors the advantages of a simplified schedule.

As CEO of MLP, Bruce Popko stated that the unification of PPA and MLP events will position us to be better partners commercially, benefiting sponsors, broadcast partners, venue operators, equipment manufacturers, and others through the expanded 2024 schedule.

The merger agreement, initially announced in September 2023, was halted after a conflict between the two organizations resulted in a competitive battle for players.

In an attempt to retain top professionals, the leagues spent heavily in August, but were later forced to ask players to take pay cuts due to their overspending.