How a new professional league — and a team built in the bold, independent spirit of Texas — changed the sport.
As pickleball continued to gain momentum, MLP was established in 2021 by Steve Kuhn, a former Wall Street hedge fund manager and pickleball enthusiast.
Kuhn envisioned a professional league that would elevate the sport, bringing together the best players in the world and creating a format that was both competitive and entertaining. MLP introduced team-based competition, a unique format in the world of pickleball, which added a new layer of excitement and strategy to the sport.
The league quickly attracted top talent and gained a loyal following, establishing itself as a major force in the sports world.
By 2022, Major League Pickleball had expanded its reach and influence, with teams like the Texas Ranchers helping to drive its success and shape the future of pickleball.
The Texas Ranchers were founded in 2022, during a pivotal time for the sport. As pickleball was gaining popularity across the United States, a group of visionary leaders — including prominent figures from sports, entertainment, and business — saw an opportunity to create a team that would embody the bold, independent spirit of Texas.
The Ranchers were conceived not just as a competitive team but as a cultural icon that would bring together the community, challenge the status quo, and set new standards in the world of professional sports.
