The 2024 MLP Draft Premier Level is scheduled for Tuesday. Due to negotiations and discussions between the newly formed United Pickleball Association (PPA and MLP) and professional pickleball players, we don't know which pros are eligible for the draft.
However, according to various sources, we do know that several notable players have already withdrawn.
Erik Tice
Players Sitting Out the 2024 MLP Draft
Let's look at those professional pickleball players not expected to participate in the 2024 MLP Draft.
Update (4/1): JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier, Jorja Johnson, Gabe Tardio, and Milan Rane have committed to the United Pickleball Association (MLP/PPA) for the next three years. The "Johnson 5" had originally appeared here while a potential contract dispute was addressed.
Peter Madden
Julian Arnold and Lauren Stratman: Choosing Not to Play
Mr. Andiamo himself is not playing MLP in 2024.
Rumor has it that both he and Lauren had extended negotiations with both the MLP and the PPA Tour during the "Tour Wars" saga in the summer of 2023. It sounds like since they both eventually signed with the PPA for a high-dollar amount, they also put it in their contract they would only have to play a small number of MLP events, or maybe even none at all.
Again, these are all rumors and neither Lauren nor Julian have made any announcements on social media, so this could change even up to the day of the draft.
Mary and Maggie Brascia: Choosing Not to Play
The sisters from SoCal originally signed with the PPA way back in July during the "Tour Wars." While they have been great in the MLP format, they will not be playing MLP in 2024.
Maggie is still a junior at Concordia University Irvine, so it may have been too much on her schedule to also be playing MLP.
Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova: Choosing Not to Play
In terms of hand speed, Matt Wright is among the top five on tour. His speedups are great, and his counters are even better.
Sure, he is up there in age and his foot speed is near the bottom, but Matt is still an elite competitor. Wright is better suited for men's doubles but still performs well in mixed with his on- and off-court partner, Lucy Kovalova.
Lucy and Matt have publicly said they do not enjoy pickleball as much if they aren't playing together, so the decision not to play MLP was mutual. Lucy is a strong right-side woman player and would have been drafted at the Premier Level.
Erik Tice
Rob Nunnery's Withdrawal from the 2024 MLP Draft: Injury
Nunnery made the APP Tour Punta Gorda men's doubles finals but withdrew due to an injury. On his podcast, It Feels Right, he announced that he is not playing MLP in 2024 to focus on his health, and adding the Major League Pickleball draft matches to his APP Tour plans didn't make sense.
Nunnery had been playing well and had a shot at Premier Level, but more likely would've been drafted early in the Challenger Level.
Jill Braverman: Choosing Not to Play
The podcaster, former DUPR CEO, and MLP Chief of Staff is opting out of playing MLP in 2024. She would have had a chance to go to the Premier Level, and definitely would have been a first-round pick in Challenger, had she fallen that far.
Tough decision day: I’ve had some of my best pb memories playing MLP, being part of a team, winning one title & an MVP award! Sadly, I’ve had to withdraw my name from this draft. As circumstances permit I hope to return and play again. pic.twitter.com/DLRwgTkvK0
— Jillian Braverman (@jillybpb) March 28, 2024
Susannah Barr: Choosing Not to Play
Barr is very close friends with Megan Fudge and plays women's doubles with her on the APP Tour. It seems that this was a teammate-type decision.
Barr has been playing great as of late and probably had an outside chance at Premier Level if someone needed a super solid right-sided player in Premier.
Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart: Choosing Not to Play
The couple would have probably been drafted at the Challenger Level, with an outside chance of Megan getting drafted to Premier. They will continue playing the APP Tour.
Jason Flamm
Yana Newell Opts Out of the 2024 MLP Draft
Newell played extremely well in the second half of 2023 on both the PPA Tour and MLP. She was on the Hard Eights in the Challenger Level, and they won every match they played.
Newell hasn't been playing as much in 2024 and has decided not to play MLP this year. She would have been a late-round draft pick in Premier or a first-round Challenger Level selection.
What This Means for the 2024 MLP Draft
With so many top pickleball pros withdrawing their MLP draft eligibility for 2024, it will be interesting to see which professional pickleball players take their places and how competitive new MLP events compare to previous seasons.
As CBS Sports has noted, the Challenger Level Draft has historically been a proving ground for rising talent, and this year will be no different with so many top names stepping aside. Be sure to follow our coverage of the MLP leading up to the 2024 MLP Draft and throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are so many professional pickleball players skipping the 2024 MLP Draft?
Several pros are sitting out due to contract agreements with the PPA Tour that limit or restrict their MLP participation. Others cited injury, scheduling conflicts, or personal decisions about where they want to compete this season.
What is the difference between Premier Level and Challenger Level in the 2024 MLP Draft?
The Premier Level is the top tier of Major League Pickleball, featuring the sport's elite players, while the Challenger Level is a competitive secondary tier for rising pros and talented veterans. Players are placed in one of these two levels based on their ranking and the needs of each team.
Did the Johnson 5 end up participating in the 2024 MLP Draft?
Yes, in a last-minute development, JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier, Jorja Johnson, Gabe Tardio, and Milan Rane committed to the United Pickleball Association and became eligible for the 2024 MLP Draft. The group had been in active contract negotiations right up until the eve of the draft.
Why did Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova choose not to enter the Major League Pickleball draft?
Lucy and Matt have publicly stated they do not enjoy pickleball as much when they aren't competing together, and the MLP draft format did not accommodate that preference. It was a mutual decision based on how they want to structure their competitive schedule.
Will any of the players sitting out the 2024 MLP Draft return in future seasons?
Most of the players skipping MLP draft eligibility in 2024 are not making a permanent exit from the league. Circumstances such as contracts, injuries, and scheduling change from season to season, and several of these pros could return to MLP competition in the future.
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