The Champions Table
Welcome to The Champions Table — the unofficial insider podcast of the MLP Champions Series, the world's premier 50+ professional pickleball league.We're Shay Coker, Senior Pro and OKC Punishers player, and Jeff McKnight, Owner, GM, and player for the Columbus Hotshots. We're not the official voice of the league. We're better. We're on the courts, at the events, and at the table with the players, owners, and personalities that make this sport extraordinary.The MLP Champions Series attracts the best 50+ pickleball players in the world — elite competitors who bring a lifetime of athleticism, grit, and passion to every match. Every week we b...
Down 6-2 to the Undefeated Hammers: How the Palm Beach Royals Won It All - Ep 23
The Palm Beach Royals were the #4 seed, banged up, and flying under the radar. Then they beat the undefeated Houston Hammers, won the title, and became MLP Champions Series champions. On this episode of The Champions Table, Shay Coker and Jeff McKnight sit down with Royals Mark Milner and Alan Mendelson to relive the run. They cover the comebacks, the nerves, and the numbers behind it.
In this episode:
• Beating Kansas City (8-4) and Las Vegas (7-5) in the early rounds
• Down 6-2 to the unbeaten Houston Hammers, then winning the last four mixed matches to f...
Palm Beach Pete Called Out! + Austin Ignite’s AI-Powered Playoff Surge with Danielle Rios - Ep 22
Palm Beach Pete got it completely wrong, and Houston Hammers' Linda Sheldon has a message to set the record straight!
Later in the show, we’re joined by Danielle Rios from the Austin Ignite. She shares unofficial MLP Champions Series stats, how her tech background fueled an AI revolution for her team, and why everyone is sleeping on the Austin Ignite as they charge into the playoffs from a projected 16th place.
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#Pickleball #DanielleRios #LindaSheldon #PalmBeachPete #AustinIgnite #HoustonHammers
#MLPChampionsSeriesPickleball #MLP
Why Major League Pickleball Is "Unserious" (And How To Fix It) | w/ Nick Nicastro - Ep 21
Welcome to Episode 21 of The Champions Table Podcast!
In this episode, Shay Coker and Jeff McKnight sit down with Columbus Sliders superfan Nick Nicastro (known on X as @DonNiccolo) to dive into his viral open letter to Major League Pickleball (MLP). What started as a casual Twitter comment caught the attention of MLP general managers and top executives, sparking a huge conversation across the pickleball community.
We break down Nick’s key critiques and recommendations for the league, discuss the state of fan engagement, and explore what it takes for pro pi...
Joy Leising & Susannah Barr: Chasing the First Prime Title - Ep 20
Joy Leising and Susannah Barr of Seattle Tsunami Prime are chasing the first Prime title in MLP Champions Series history. Plus our picks for APP Columbus and PPA Las Vegas.
On this episode of The Champions Table, Shay Coker and Jeff McKnight sit down with Joy Leising and Susannah Barr, who play together on Seattle Tsunami Prime in the 40+ division of the MLP Champions Series. They talk about:
What sets this Seattle team apartJoy's path from tennis to pickleball, which she's played since 2013Susannah's time on the APP Tour, and playing in the new...Who’s REALLY the Best in MLP? | Ultimate Champions Series Power Ranking - Ep 19
Who are the best teams in the MLP Champions Series right now?
Jeff and Shay break down the latest results, performances, and surprises as they put together their ultimate MLP Champions Series power ranking.
Who moved up? Who fell back? And which teams could be poised to make a run?
Watch the latest episode of The Champions Table and let us know where you agree — or disagree — with our rankings.
We also discuss the results of the recent Champions division of the APP Overland Park and the Seni...
Tsunami Making Waves - James Main
The Seattle Tsunami are rising to the top of the regular season standings with only one regular season event to go. GM James Main joins us to discuss how his team is peaking at the right time of the year.
Husband and Wife Duo go 7-1
It's hard enough to play with your husband or wife in recreational play. Imagine taking it to the highest level at Major League Pickleball Champions Series!
Angela and Neil Simon became the first husband/wife duo to play Line 1 together in the 4 year history of the league. We discuss their experience playing for the OKC Punishers and their incredible 7-1 records.
Jeff and Shay also discuss the Regular Season Event #3 both in Austin and Phoenix.
Episode #16: John Hedberg at the World Cup in Vietnam
In this week's podcast, we talk with John Hedberg, star of the OKC Punishers, who is in Vietnam to represent the USA at the Pickleball World Cup.
Jeff and Shay also discuss the MLP Finals from Central Park and give a brief outlook of the upcoming MLP Champions Series matches this week in Austin and Phoenix.
Episode #15: Heather Waters from the Suncoast Pelicans
Jeff and Shay discuss the recent APP tournament in Detroit and talk with Heather Waters about her experience in the MLP Champions Series.
Episode #14: MLP Champions Series Vision with Rick Witsken
On this episode of The Champions Table, we sit down with Rick Witsken—Co-Founder of the MLP Champions Series Pickleball, top-ranked senior pro, and standout player for the Indy Drivers!
Rick pulls back the curtain on the rapid growth of 50+ professional pickleball, sharing his strategic vision for the MLP Champions Series, how city-based franchises are building regional legacies, and why the level of competition across the league is skyrocketing. We also break down team strategy, lineup flexibility in the "podless" era, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.
...
Episode #13: Dallas Recap
The Champions Table is back!
This week we recap Event #2 of the MLP Champions Series in Dallas. Top teams, top performers, personal experiences, and much more!
While we focus on the Premier Division, we also mentioned the Prime and Masters Divisions and the leaders in each.
Make sure to follow our pages on the major social media platforms.
Episode #12: Interview with Dave Fleming
Dave Fleming to suit up for the Palm Beach Royals this weekend at the MLP Champions Series!
We also discuss matchups, predictions, power rankings, upcoming matches, the LA Xtreme reality show, and Palm Beach Pete's pick of the week.
Takeaways
Event number two matchups and predictionsInsight into the LA Xtreme reality show and the impact of Palm Beach Pete's pick of the week.Episode #11: Chicago Recap and Interview with Prime Star, Nicole Pitts
Join us for a recap of the first MLP Champions Series event in Chicago, where we discuss the top teams and biggest surprises.
Also, we had a bonus interview with Dr. Nicole Pitts from the Austin Ignite Prime team, which went 4-0 and won the weekend.
Takeaways
Houston Hammers' dominant victoryTechnical issues with streaming and recommendations for improvement Pickleball championship experience and team victoriesBalancing professional life and trainingUpcoming events and facilitiesRookie performances and lineup experimentsChapters
00:00 Recap of the Chicago Event08:41 Houston Hammers' Victory10:35 Suncoast Pelicans' Performance12:07 Indy...Episode #10: Interview with Palm Beach Pete and Revealing of Top Two Teams
The episode features a discussion about the upcoming Major League Pickleball Champions Series, including the preseason power rankings and team analysis. The hosts also engage in a conversation with a guest about the league and its players. The conversation covers topics such as player compensation, notable champions, amateur players, and the rise of Palm Beach Pete as a social media personality. It also delves into the league's expansion, events, and predictions for upcoming matches.
Takeaways
Preseason power rankings provide insight into the competitive landscape of the Major League Pickleball Champions Series.The league features...Episode #9: Preseason Power Rankings, Teams 3-5
The conversation covers the preseason power rankings of the MLP Champions Series, discussing the top three teams and their players. It also delves into the potential of an MLP champions all-star team and the format of the team battles. The conversation provides insights into the strengths and potential weaknesses of each team, as well as the impact of new players and strategic pairings.
Takeaways
Preseason power rankings play a significant role in assessing the potential of teams in the MLP Champions Series.The addition of new players and strategic pairings can significantly impact a...Episode #8: SoCal Hard 8's Owner Tim Parks Talks MLP
This conversation with SoCal Hard 8's owner Tim Parks covers the business aspects of pickleball and the merger of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). It delves into the strategic and financial considerations of running a professional pickleball league and the impact of the merger on the sport's future. The conversation delves into the unsolved questions of pickleball, particularly the experiment with mixed doubles and the debate about the top-heavy nature of the sport. It also explores the comparison of pickleball to other sports, the business side of pickleball, and the importance of competitive balance in...
Episode #7: Lee Whitwell on Joining the Phoenix Firebirds & the MLP Champions Series
The conversation with Lee Whitwell covers rising competition in senior pro pickleball, the format and experience of MLP vs. APP events, transitioning to MLP Champions Series, Lee's background and multilingual abilities, building a fan base for Major League Pickleball, growing pains and rule changes in MLP, Phoenix Firebirds and team strategy, expectations for the Phoenix Firebirds, the relevance of senior pro pickleball, and preparations for the upcoming event.
Takeaways
Rising competition in senior pro pickleballThe format and experience of MLP vs. APP eventsChapters
00:00 Introducing Lee Whitwell03:34 Rising Competition in...Episode #6: Daniel Gold & The Las Vegas Headliners
The conversation covers Daniel Gold's transition from playing tennis at Wimbledon to becoming the GM of the Las Vegas headliners in the Major League Pickleball Champions Series. It also delves into the process of building an expansion team, player selection, and team dynamics. The conversation covers the team selection process, mental adjustment in the league, preseason power rankings, analysis of new players and team dynamics, and upcoming matches and league dynamics.
Takeaways
Wimbledon ExperienceTransition from Tennis to Pickleball Team selection processMental adjustment in the leagueChapters
00:00 From Wimbledon to Pickleball09:57...Episode #5: Tommy Ho Returns to the MLP!
The conversation with Tommy Ho covered his remarkable athletic journey from tennis to pickleball, including his early tennis career, training under Rick Macci, memorable matches, transition to pickleball, return to the Major League Pickleball (MLP), playing for the hometown team, pressure and mental toughness, team dynamics, rankings, and regulatory changes. The discussion provided insights into Tommy Ho's experiences and expectations for the upcoming season in the MLP.
Takeaways
Remarkable athletic journeyTransition from tennis to pickleballChapters
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest07:09 Transition to Pickleball19:38 Draft and Team Dynamics34:20 Team Rankings and...Episode #4: Inside the New Jersey Fives with GM Ryan Harwood
Episode #4: Inside the New Jersey Fives with GM Ryan Harwood
Join us on The Champions Table as we sit down with Ryan Harwood, co-owner and General Manager of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) franchise, the New Jersey Fives. We dive deep into what it takes to build a professional sports team, the high-stakes world of MLP drafts, and how to manage superstar talent like Anna Leigh Waters.
In this episode, we cover:
The MLP Experience: Ryan breaks down his unique, high-energy approach on the sidelines and why...Episode #4 - Interview with Ryan Harwood
The conversation covers the recent pickleball tournament in Cincinnati, the performance of players, the impact of the tournament on the sport, the experience of Ryan Harwood of the New Jersey Fives in the MLP, and the potential addition of JW Johnson to the team (joking). The conversation also delves into the personal experiences and perspectives of the guests, including their involvement in the sport and the challenges they face as team owners and players. The conversation covers the topics of player recruitment, player performance, team dynamics, and the business aspects of the MLP and Champions League. It also delves...
From Underdogs to Contenders: How Columbus and Detroit Aim for the Top
Jeff and Shay discuss the #15 and #14 teams in the Major League Pickleball Champions Series pre-season power rankings. Special guest Toki Yamasato adds some Latin flavor to the podcast as she talks about her dangerous Detroit Disruptors team.
Interview with MLP Palm Beach Royals co-owner Zach Hunter
The conversation covers a range of topics related to professional pickleball, including player feedback, team rankings, ball selection, and the acquisition of pickleball teams. It also delves into the introduction of Zach Hunter and his involvement in Major League Pickleball, as well as the acquisition of the Boca Surge and the NPL alliance. The discussion provides insights into the dynamics of professional pickleball and the strategic decisions made by team owners. The conversation delves into the future of the MLP Champion Series, the attraction of top players, the engagement of local talent and community, and the scalability challenges in...
Preview of 2026 MLP Champions Season
The conversation covers the rebranding of the league to Major League Pickleball Champion Series, the introduction of new and returning players, and the impact of player transfers on the league dynamics. It also discusses the league expansion, season start, and the merger of teams within the league. The conversation covers the significant player movements and team lineup changes in the Major League Pickleball league. It explores the impact of player transfers, surprises in team changes, and the formation of new teams. The proposed pod ranking system and its impact on player lineups are also discussed, along with the expectations...
