MLP 2026 Pre-Season Power Rankings and Payroll Analysis

This Forbes article analyzes the pre-season power rankings for the 2026 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season, highlighting a strong correlation between team payrolls and projected performance. The author traces the league's evolution from its post-merger dispersal draft in 2024, which initially featured a $1 million salary cap, to the current uncapped environment. Early trades, such as Tyson McGuffin’s move to Orlando and Ben Johns’ transfer to the LA Mad Drops, created roster imbalances that effectively dismantled the salary cap structure. Consequently, significant payroll disparities now exist among the 20 premier league teams. The analyst employed a weighted ranking system, evaluating Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Singles players separately to determine overall team strength. The findings suggest that higher spending directly translates to better roster quality, with only a few outlier teams breaking this trend. The piece categorizes teams into distinct competitive tiers based on their financial commitment and roster talent, urging the league to address these growing inequalities. Although a recent trade between Dallas and Carolina occurred after the initial analysis, the author notes it does not significantly alter the overall rankings or the core conclusion regarding the link between financial investment and competitive success in the MLP.