Columbus' pickleball pros gear up for next season
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Major League Pickleball action at Pickle & Chill in Columbus last year. Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
You're used to cheering on the Blue Jackets, Clippers and Crew, but there's another pro team in town to root for.
Paddling the news: The Columbus Pickleball Club just wrapped up another Major League Pickleball (MLP) season and is ready to start a new one this fall.
- We finished toward the bottom of the standings, but hope springs eternal.
Why it matters: With two pickleball centers and 118 public courts, Columbus is a Midwest powerhouse for America's fastest growing sport.
State of play: David Kass of the Pickle & Chill and Doug Ulman, CEO of Pelotonia, formed Columbus' team last year.
- MLP has 24 coed teams each in "premier" and "challenger" divisions, with promotion and relegation similar to some soccer leagues.
- Teams compete in three major tournaments per season before drafting a new set of players.
The intrigue: Columbus featured Granville's CJ Klinger last season — the 6-foot-4 teenage phenom who honed his talent playing on a court built in his backyard.
What they're saying: Pickleball's meteoric rise and quick learning curve make for an interesting mix, Ulman tells Axios.
- Someone who plays today for the first time can develop into a top-level pro by next season, he says, meaning the league's talent pool is rapidly changing.
What we're watching: Columbus' team nickname is "The Bus," but Ulman says a rebranding may be in order.
- Got a suggestion for a new team name? Email [email protected] with your ideas.
