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 pickleball to become a true spectator power. Plus, Palm Beach Pete drops in for his undefeated "Pick of the Week" predictions for the MLP Champions Series in Columbus!

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 apart
• Joy's path from tennis to pickleball, which she's played since 2013
• Susannah's time on the APP Tour, and playing in the new Prime division
• What the 40+ Prime division means for the game
• Susannah's story of the first time she saw Joy play

After the interview, Shay and Jeff talk about how the league recognizes individual players, then make their predictions for this weekend's APP Columbus and PPA Las Vegas tournaments in men's doubles, mixed, and women's doubles.

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 Senior Pro division at PPA Mesa.

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.

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.

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.

Jeff and Shay discuss the recent APP tournament in Detroit and talk with Heather Waters about her experience in the MLP Champions Series.

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.

In this episode, we cover:

• The long-term vision and structure for the MLP Champions Series
• How city connections and franchise loyalty are shaping the sport
• Why parity and player improvement are pushing senior pro pickleball forward
• Lineup dynamics, pairing strategies, and insights from the court

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