Netflix And A.S.O. Announce A Docuseries On The Tour De France 2022

Netflix is partnering with A.S.O. to create a documentary series on the Tour de France 2022, with the participation of France Télévisions. Produced by Quadbox, a joint venture between QUAD and Box to box Films (Drive to Survive), the series will follow the journey of 8 teams taking part in the most difficult cycling race.

Consisting of 8 episodes of 45 minutes, the series will follow as closely as possible all the actors of the Tour de France, from cyclists to team managers to understand the multiple stakes of a race that has become a true international symbol, broadcasted in 190 territories.

The backstages of eight iconic teams will be unveiled, from the preparation phase to the finish line: AG2R Citroën Team, Alpecin-Fenix, BORA-hansgrohe, EF Education-EasyPost, Groupama-FDJ cycling Team, Ineos Grenadiers, Team Jumbo-Visma and Team Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl.

Filming will run from March to July 2022 for a release on Netflix in the first semester of 2023. In addition, France Télévisions will broadcast a 52′ documentary a few days before the start of the Tour de France 2023.

Dolores Emile, Manager, EMEA Unscripted & Doc Series (France) at Netflix:

“We are very proud to unveil new aspects of the emblematic Tour de France. This is a unique opportunity to dive into the stories of its inspiring characters!”

Yann Le Moënner, Managing Director of A.S.O.:

“We are proud of this partnership with Netflix, France Télévisions and the Tour de France teams, which will offer fans a unique immersion behind the scenes. Through a narrative approach, which is additive to the competition itself, the public will be able to discover how the Tour de France represents the ultimate challenge for the competitors ; in particular in terms of suffering, pushing their limits and team spirit. This project is part of our overall ambition to make our sport more accessible and meet an even wider audience.”

Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Sports Director at France Télévisions:

“As the historic partner and broadcaster of the Tour de France, we are delighted to participate in this project which will allow everyone to experience part of the daily life of champions and teams. It is additive to what we do every year during the race and we believe that it will attract an even larger audience to this beautiful event.”

Cazoo To Sponsor Snooker’s British Open

Cazoo, Europe’s leading online car retailer, which makes ordering a car as simple and seamless as buying any other product online today, is expanding its snooker partnership with the World Snooker Tour to become the main sponsor of the British Open for the first time.

The 2022 Cazoo British Open will run from September 26th to October 2nd at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes and will see prominent Cazoo branding on the main set, players’ waistcoats and interview and media conference backdrops and will have extensive live coverage on ITV and a range of broadcasters across the globe.

This deal extends Cazoo’s portfolio of prestigious snooker sponsorships, which also includes the Cazoo Masters, Cazoo UK Championship, Cazoo Champion of Champions and the trio of Cazoo Series events.

Cazoo is now one of the biggest sports sponsors in the UK with a portfolio that includes football (Everton, Aston Villa & the EFL), cricket (The Hundred), rugby (Welsh Rugby Union & 2021 Rugby League World Cup), golf (European Tour), horse racing (Epsom Derby & St Leger) and darts (PDC). Cazoo will also sponsor Spanish LaLiga football teams Real Sociedad and Valencia FC and French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, from the start of next season.

Cazoo was founded in 2018 by renowned British entrepreneur Alex Chesterman and has already sold over 60,000 cars in the UK since its launch as consumers have embraced the selection, value, transparency and convenience of buying and selling used cars fully online. Cazoo has grown its team to over 4,250 across the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Snooker’s British Open was first staged in 1985 and remained on the calendar until 2004, then returned in 2021 after a 17-year gap. Mark Williams is the defending champion having beaten Gary Wilson 6-4 in the final in Leicester.

It’s the only tournament on the WST circuit to include a random ‘FA Cup style’ draw for each round. Last year, matches in the early rounds were the best of five frames, but this year that has been increased to best of seven for the early rounds, best of nine for the quarter-finals, best of 11 for the semis and best of 19 for the showpiece final on Sunday October 2nd. 

Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder & CEO of Cazoo said:

“We’re excited to extend our partnership with WST and Matchroom to include the 2022 Cazoo British Open. This deal will grow our audience as we continue to build Cazoo into a household brand and deliver the best car buying and selling experience across the UK and Europe.”

Steve Dawson, Chairman of WST said:

“We are thrilled to join forces once again with Cazoo for the fantastic British Open which proved a great success when we brought it back on to the calendar last season. Cazoo have an outstanding set of snooker properties across the season, bringing massive global exposure for their brand. With extensive free to air coverage on ITV and the best players in the world competing for the title, the Cazoo British Open will once again reach a vast audience of snooker fans. We are excited to work with the Cazoo team on building this far-reaching partnership.”

Getir Becomes The Official Partner Of The Schneider Electric Marathon De Paris

Getir, the pioneer of ultrafast grocery delivery, has become a sponsor and an official partner of the biggest running challenge in France, the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, which will take place on April 3. The marathon will bring together both professional and amateur athletes from all walks of life.

“We are very pleased to participate in the great challenge of the Paris Marathon which is one of the biggest and prestigious marathons in the world, as much for sizes of its field as the performance of its runners. At Getir, we embrace health, sports, nature and it is our great pleasure to support and stand by the side of sports and athletes, we will continue to respect and value them. As we believe in the power of sports, we aim to invest in sports organizations in other countries where Getir services are available. We are particularly happy to support City of Paris and one of Paris’s signature organizations, in line with our objective be a good citizen of this great city we serve.”, underlines Alec Dent, General Manager of Getir France.

“We are delighted to welcome Getir to the family of sponsors of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris for the first time. Through this sponsorship, Getir will also conduct actions for the protection of the environment along with us and our other sponsors. Getir will also be contributing to the festive aspect, which is essential in marathon events, by offering the large audience of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris entertainment during the Run Experience and the race. We welcome Getir to the marathon.” Confirms Julien Goupil, Medias & Sponsorship director.

MORE THAN EVER, GETIR ACCOMPANIES FRENCH PEOPLE IN ALL THEIR SHOPPING RUNS

To celebrate this partnership, Getir will make available on its app a list of products for athletes in order to prepare all participants before the run (feed bar, oatmeal cereal quaker oats and etc.).

From March 31 to April 2, Getir will invite runners to its booth at Run Experience when they pick up their race number. They will be able to discover Getir’s delivery service and live entertaining experiences (photobooth, virtual reality). At Run Experience, Getir will also organize a contest with runners experiencing the photobooth to allow 30 of them (through a draw) to win well-deserved post-race products, delivered right after the finish line.

Approximately 30 Getir employees from several European countries, including riders and pickers from our gstores in France, will be running the Marathon. In order to make a positive contribution to local communities and act as a custodian for the environments, Getir will also organize a team who will support to the organizers to clean the streets of Paris right after the marathon.

Las Vegas To Host Formula 1 Night Race From 2023

The world-famous neon lights of Las Vegas will provide the backdrop to Formula 1’s newest race when the American city hosts a night event from 2023.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday next November and be one of three races in the United States, joining Miami and Austin.

Las Vegas hosted races in 1981 and 1982 but this will be the first time F1 cars will race on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, with the circuit sweeping past famous hotels and casinos.

The 14-turn track will run for 3.8 miles (6.12km) with top speeds expected to hit around 212mph (342km/h).

The design features three straights, a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section, with the Grand Prix to be run over 50 laps.

© Artistic impressions created by Tilke Design and Architects, for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change (5).jpg

F1 and Liberty Media will work together to promote the race in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), as well as Founding Partners Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, and Wynn Las Vegas and Presenting Partners MSG Sphere, Resorts World Las Vegas and The Venetian Resort.Play VideoLas Vegas to join 2023 Formula 1 calendar

The news was announced at a glittering event in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening, with Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali in attendance.

They were joined by local stakeholders including Nevada Governor, Steve Sisolak, CEO and President of the LVCVA, Steve Hill and President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, Michael Rapino.

“Iconic Las Vegas and Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, is the perfect marriage of speed and glamour,” said Maffei. “Our confidence in this unique opportunity is evident in our decision to assume the promoter role for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in partnership with Live Nation.

Circuit Reveal.jpg

“We could not be more excited to work with our local partners to create a marquee event. The potential of Formula 1 has been well demonstrated over the last several seasons and the Las Vegas GP will only take it to the next level.”

Domenicali added: “This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US. Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip.

“There is no better place for Formula 1 to race than in the global entertainment capital of the world and we cannot wait to be here next year. I want to thank everyone who helped deliver this event, especially Governor Sisolak, the Clark County Commission, Steve Hill at the LVCVA, and our local partners.”

© Artistic impressions created by Tilke Design and Architects, for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change.jpg

Hill added: “We eagerly anticipate the moment when the history, energy and momentum of Formula 1 will culminate in an unforgettable Saturday night on the Las Vegas Strip. Spectators will experience the unrivalled thrill of watching these world-class drivers race through what is sure to become one of the most iconic racetracks in the world.

“Formula 1 and Liberty Media have been incredible partners, and we look forward to November 2023 when we once again showcase that Las Vegas is ‘The Greatest Arena on Earth’.”

FIBA And Two Circles Form D2C Strategic Venture With Courtside 1891

FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and sports marketing and data technology company Two Circles today announced a long-term strategic venture that will revolutionize the direct-to-consumer market for basketball content globally.

Aligning with FIBA’s vision to make basketball the world’s most popular sports community and the strategic objective to enlarge the FIBA family, the partnership will see FIBA and Two Circles develop, market and commercialize a completely new direct-to-consumer offering under the Courtside 1891 brand. 

The new Courtside 1891 product aggregates scores, streams and schedules from a wide variety of basketball events and leagues across the globe. This comprehensive content offering, combined with a fresh and unique new brand, represents a bold and innovative departure from the typical digital offerings of sports federations. 

The initial launch product for Courtside 1891 was made available on limited release for the recent FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 second window of qualifiers, played in February across the FIBA regions. 

The Courtside 1891 venture will enable FIBA to develop direct, long-term fan relationships worldwide and build a greater understanding of global basketball fan behaviors and attitudes to help create new products and strategies. It will also create opportunities to deliver greater exposure and visibility for FIBA competitions alongside pan-regional and domestic leagues worldwide.  

Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General, said: “We are delighted to embark on this venture with Two Circles. Growing the global profile of basketball and unifying the basketball community is a fundamental piece of our vision. With Two Circles’ expertise in digital strategies that engage audiences and grow direct relationships with fans, this partnership has already provided a new digital platform that all members of the FIBA Family will benefit from and will create unprecedented levels of engagement with our basketball fanbase.”

Gareth Balch, CEO of Two Circles, added: “Direct relationships with fans has become a valuable currency as sports properties transition from the analogue age of broadcast TV to the era of digital consumption and distribution. As an international federation, FIBA has a track record of innovation, and we are excited with the impact our data-driven approach can have in pushing the boundaries and initiating FIBA’s next phase of media distribution and digital fan engagement.”

FIBA and Two Circles’ partnership, which will initially run until 2029, has seen Two Circles invest substantial capital to develop new digital platforms and create a dedicated team covering product strategy, sales, marketing, data management and analytics. 

Live streaming via Courtside 1891 is available in all key markets through free and paid subscriptions via all major browsers and operating systems. While fans can currently subscribe to live streams of FIBA’s national team events, access live scores from almost all leagues around the world and view highlights from a growing number of competitions, the ultimate vision is to create a truly personalized content feed for each individual basketball fan.

As part of priority developments planned for the service, Courtside 1891 will also become a hub to discover live content on other platforms, becoming the easiest place for fans to discover where and when they can watch live basketball from a range of competitions. Through this, FIBA will be supporting its broadcast partners in delivering FIBA action to the widest audience possible.

Nielsen Enters Into Agreement To Be Acquired By Evergreen- And Brookfield-Led Consortium For $16 Billion

Nielsen Holdings plc today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a private equity consortium led by Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P., and Brookfield Business Partners L.P. together with institutional partners for $28 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $16 billion, including the assumption of debt.

The Nielsen Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the acquisition proposal, which represents a 10% premium over the Consortium’s previous proposal and a 60% premium over Nielsen’s unaffected stock price as of March 11, 2022, the last trading day before market speculation regarding a potential transaction. The Board reached this determination following a comprehensive review of the proposal, with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors. 

“After a thorough assessment, the Board determined that this transaction represents an attractive outcome for our shareholders by providing a cash takeout at a substantial premium, while supporting Nielsen’s commitment to our clients, employees and stakeholders. The Consortium sees the full potential of Nielsen’s leadership position in the media industry and the unique value we deliver for our clients worldwide,” said James A. Attwood, Chairperson of Nielsen’s Board of Directors.

“After months of deep market analysis, industry diligence and management reviews, we are firmly convinced that Nielsen will continue to be the gold standard for audience measurement as it executes on the Nielsen ONE roadmap,” said Managing Partner Jesse Cohn and Senior Portfolio Manager Marc Steinberg on behalf of Evergreen and Elliott. “Having first invested in Nielsen nearly four years ago, we have a unique appreciation for the Company’s ongoing relevance to the global, digital-first media ecosystem. Today’s outcome represents a significant win for Nielsen’s shareholders and for the business itself, as our multibillion-dollar investment will help Nielsen reinforce its transformation at this critical inflection point. We are pleased to partner with David and the existing management team to lead Nielsen after the transaction is completed.”

“Nielsen is deeply embedded in the media ecosystem and a trusted service provider to its customers. As a private company, Nielsen will be even better positioned to deliver the best measures of consumers’ rapidly changing behaviors across all channels and platforms,” commented Dave Gregory, Managing Partner, Brookfield Business Partners. “We are pleased to invest in this iconic company and help lead the industry into the next generation of audience measurement.”

The Consortium has secured fully committed debt and equity financing, including an approximately $5.7 billion equity commitment from the Consortium consisting of Evergreen and Brookfield. There are no financing conditions to the closing of the transaction.

The transaction is subject to approval by Nielsen shareholders, regulatory approvals, consultation with the works council and other customary closing conditions. The transaction will also be subject to UK court approval pursuant to a scheme of arrangement. Alternatively, pursuant to the agreement, the parties may elect instead to complete the transaction pursuant to an agreed-upon tender offer. If the closing conditions are met, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.

The Company no longer intends to commence share repurchases under the Board’s previously approved authorization.

UFC 275 To Become UFC’s First Pay-Per-View And Championship Title Bouts Hosted In Southeast Asia

UFC, the world’s premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization, today announced a pair of historic firsts which will take place in The Lion City, Singapore.

UFC 275: TEIXEIRA vs PROCHAZKA will take place on Sunday, June 12, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, making it the first-ever numbered UFC Pay-Per-View to be held in in Southeast Asia. The event will also feature the region’s first UFC championship bouts, as UFC world light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira takes on No. 2 Jiri Prochazka, and UFC world women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko faces No. 5 Taila Santos.

UFC 275 will be UFC’s fourth event hosted in Singapore with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). In planning the return of live events in Asia, UFC selected Singapore because of its proven health and safety track record and its outstanding infrastructure across all components – both of which are key to ensuring the successful production of a premium international event.

UFC 275 will place Singapore alongside other major international locations to hold multiple UFC events including Tokyo, London and New York City. The presentation of a numbered Pay-Per-View event to Southeast Asia signifies the development of UFC in the region and the mixed martial arts promotion’s remarkable global growth.

“I can’t wait for our first Pay-Per-View event in Singapore,” said UFC President Dana White. “The fights have been incredible this year and we’re going to deliver an absolutely stacked card for the amazing fans in Southeast Asia.”

“Singapore will be the very first city in Southeast Asia to host a PPV event and UFC 275 is going to be huge! Asia’s biggest stars will be featured on a top caliber card, and the jam-packed fight week will be one to remember,” said Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific. “We are thankful for STB’s support for this historic event in Singapore that will proudly showcase this vibrant and dynamic city.”

“UFC 275 will be the first UFC numbered event in Asia after a decade, and its presence highlights Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region,” Ms Ong Ling Lee, Director, Sports and Wellness, Singapore Tourism Board. “It is also a timely boost to our vibrancy and attractiveness as a lifestyle destination, as more international visitors return to Singapore.”

Leading global live entertainment company AEG Presents has been appointed as the official promoter of UFC® 275: TEIXEIRA vs PROCHAZKA in Singapore.

“AEG is extremely proud to be associated with UFC to bring this marquee event to Singapore,” said Adam Wilkes, President and CEO, AEG Asia Pacific. “UFC 275 will be an amazing experience for fight fans and for those who love, and have missed, world class events.”

DAZN And Movistar Plus+ Reach Distribution Agreement For LaLiga

DAZN, the leading global sports streaming platform, has closed a non-exclusive distribution deal with Movistar Plus+, the leading entertainment platform in Spain for LaLiga starting next season. DAZN, which was awarded exclusive broadcasting rights for 175 LaLiga matches for seasons 2022/23 through 2026/27, will make this exclusive package available to Movistar Plus+ customers, as part of the DAZN offer integrated on Movistar Plus+, both through its App and its linear channels.  DAZN will be in charge of the production of these five matches per gameweek, bringing new talent and new flavor to LaLiga coverage. Soccer fans, who are not Movistar Plus+ customers, will also be able to watch the DAZN LaLiga package directly on the DAZN app.

DAZN thus secures the commitment of the leading telco operator to support the growth of OTT sport consumption in Spain, signaling the future for LaLiga fans. This deal represents another major step in DAZN´s growth in the Spanish market and reinforces DAZN´s commitment to making it as easy as possible for fans to engage with their favourite sports. The distribution deal follows a series of strategic collaborations in other DAZN core markets:  Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and Swisscom in Germany, TIM in Italy and KDDI in Japan.

Jacopo Tonoli, Chief Commercial Officer, DAZN Group, said, “We are very pleased to announce this new distribution agreement with Movistar Plus+, expanding on our existing partnership. Our mission is to make premium sport more accessible to an ever-increasing number of fans in an easy, flexible and innovative way, and this deal allows us to do so by driving further growth in Spain.”

Sergio Oslé, President of Movistar Plus+, said: “At Movistar we will focus all our efforts on providing our customers with access to the widest range of content on the market. With this new agreement we guarantee access to all Movistar Plus+ customers to the main competition of our soccer for the next seasons. The agreements reached with LaLiga and DAZN strengthen the relationship with the best partners to continue promoting our `Infinite stadium´ with an unparalleled sports offer.”

Since its launch in 2019, DAZN has secured a strong offering which includes this LaLiga package alongside Copa del Rey, Premier League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, FA Cup, Carabao Cup or MLS. DAZN is not just about soccer; users in Spain can also enjoy MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3, F1, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Matchroom boxing, as well as a wide line-up of DAZN original programming and other sports content.

BCCI Releases Media Rights Tender For 2023-2027

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces release of Invitation to Tender for Media Rights to the Indian Premier League Seasons 2023-2027.

The Governing Council of the IPL invites bids from reputed entities to acquire the Media Rights for the Indian Premier League Seasons 2023-2027, through a tender process.

The detailed terms and conditions governing the tender process including eligibility requirements, process for submissions of bids, proposed media rights packages, and obligations, etc. are contained in the ‘Invitation to Tender’ (“ITT”) which will be made available on receipt of payment of non-refundable fee of INR 25,00,000 (Rupees Twenty-Five Lakhs Only) plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax. The procedure to procure the ITT documents is enlisted in Annexure A to this document. The ITT will be available for purchase till May 10, 2022.

Interested parties are requested to email the details of payment made for the purchase of the ITT to iplmediarights2022@bcci.tv, as per the procedure laid down in Annexure A. It is clarified that the ITT documents shall be shared only receipt of payment of the non-refundable ITT fee.

Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid.

BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner at its discretion.

Major League Pickleball Welcomes New Owners Including Gary Vaynerchuk, Announces 2022 Draft And First 2022 Event Date

Major League Pickleball (MLP), the elite pickleball league that showcases the world’s best professional pickleball players in a unique team format while serving as a platform to attract new pickleball fans and players to the fastest growing sport in America, is welcoming new owners in 2022 including business leader and cultural icon Gary Vaynerchuk, expanding the MLP team roster from the eight teams which took part in the inaugural MLP event in 2021, to 12 teams in 2022. 

MLP has also confirmed that the 2022 MLP Draft, a unique event in professional pickleball worldwide, will be revealed at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, NYC on Saturday, May 28th, an event which will be livestreamed on MLP channels including MajorLeaguePickleball.net, MLP YouTube and MLP Facebook. The Draft will set the teams for MLP’s first 2022 team competition, which will be held at Dreamland, Dripping Springs, Texas, from June 3 – June 5, in which 48 of the world’s best professional pickleball players, 24 women and 24 men, will compete to win the second-ever MLP competition, with the finals set to be exclusively televised on CBS Sports Network. The preceding rounds will also be livestreamed on MLP digital channels. 

“MLP is the most exciting brand in pickleball, a sport that I’m very excited to be coming into at such an important stage of its development,” said new MLP Team Owner, Gary Vaynerchuk. “I’ve been watching the growth of the sport over the last couple of years, and waiting for the right opportunity to jump in. What MLP is creating is precisely what I think pickleball needs – innovation, equality, great competition, and a central focus on the social community that this sport creates.”

“2021 was a groundbreaking year for pickleball, with the first MLP event setting new standards for our sport, and now we have even more exciting plans for 2022 and beyond,” commented 2021 MLP MVP and professional pickleball athlete, Lee Whitwell. “Welcoming new team owners to MLP, and revealing our 2022 Draft at such an iconic venue as Flushing Meadows is exciting enough. To also be able to confirm that we’ll be back at Dreamland in early June for our second MLP event is just great news, for the athletes, the sport and, most importantly, pickleball fans.”

“We all went into the first MLP event knowing it was going to be good, but none of us knew just how amazing it was going to be,” added fellow-pro pickleball athlete, Zane Navratil. “Now, in 2022, MLP is growing, adding more teams, and building even more excitement about what’s to come. The team format instantly proved to be a success when it was unveiled by MLP in 2021, and I’m already excited to find out who my teammates will be for 2022, and focused on winning!”

“MLP’s inaugural team competition in 2021 raised the bar for professional pickleball, and in 2022 we will continue to set new standards,” commented MLP Commissioner, Jenny Klitch. “For 2022 we start MLP’s second year with some very exciting news, including welcoming new Team Owners, who are eager to draft and support the world’s best pro pickleball players. We are also delighted to be returning to Dreamland in Austin, Texas, for the first 2022 MLP competition in June, and as a former pro tennis player, I’m thrilled to announce that we will reveal our Draft in May at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows. These iconic venues are perfect to showcase the highest levels of pro pickleball competition and spread the joy of the game as pickleball continues its explosive growth and makes headlines worldwide.”

The 2022 MLP draft reveal will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, NYC on Saturday, May 28th. The event will be invitation-only, but fans will be able to tune in to the one hour live show which will be livestreamed on MLP channels including MajorLeaguePickleball.net, MLP YouTube and Facebook. The 2022 MLP Draft reveal will take place during the APP New York City Open at Flushing Meadows May 25-29, 2022. In 2021, MLP staged its groundbreaking first-ever Draft, in which 32 of the best professional pickleball players were drafted into eight teams. The Draft uses a “snake” format, ensuring each team has a balanced roster of two women and two men, ensuring the most exciting competition then takes place on court when the action starts. For 2022, with the addition of four new teams, 48 players will be drafted into the 12 teams which will compete at Dreamland, Dripping Springs, from June 3 – 5, 2022.

MLP’s first competitive event of 2022 at Dreamland will also be livestreamed on MLP digital channels, with the finals set to exclusively be televised live on CBS Sports Network. Full tune-in information, ticket details and the complete event schedule will be announced before the event by MLP. Details of further 2022 MLP events will also be announced throughout 2022 – for more information, stay tuned to MLP social media channels and subscribe to the official MLP e-newsletter.