Major League Pickleball (MLP) Commissioner Samin Odhwani is transitioning to a new role with Apollo Sports Capital and SC Holdings, the investment firms behind Pickleball Inc. This move follows a record-breaking 2026 season for the league and marks a significant shift in the professional pickleball landscape as Odhwani moves from league operations to a broader strategic role within the sport's parent company.
The Future of MLP Leadership
While Odhwani prepares to join the board of Pickleball Inc.—the entity overseeing both MLP and the PPA Tour—he will remain the commissioner of MLP until a successor is identified. The search for the next commissioner is already underway, with the organization looking for a leader capable of scaling the league's business operations. The specific goals for the incoming commissioner include:
- Expanding into larger venues: The league aims to increase its physical footprint and capacity to accommodate growing fan interest.
- Growing sponsorships: The new leader will be tasked with driving commercial revenue and securing deeper brand partnerships.
- Managing day-to-day operations: The successor will oversee the core administrative and logistical functions required to keep the league running smoothly.
Odhwani’s departure comes at a high point for the organization. Under his leadership, the 2026 MLP Finals on CBS achieved an average viewership of 773,000, the largest television audience in the league's history. His career trajectory, which saw him rise from general manager of the Brooklyn Aces to commissioner in just over three years, reflects the rapid professionalization of the sport. His new role will focus on long-term growth initiatives, most notably the development of a comprehensive media rights agreement.
Reflecting on his tenure, Odhwani noted that his initial observation as a team executive—that the intense, emotional atmosphere of MLP events was not fully translating to television broadcasts—became a primary focus of his work as commissioner. By applying his background in sports business, including previous roles at the NBA and Thirty Five Ventures, he helped transform the league from a nascent experiment into a major professional product. As he moves to the investor side, Odhwani remains committed to supporting the infrastructure he helped build, ensuring that Pickleball Inc. continues to capitalize on the momentum generated over the past two years.
