On April 24th, 2022, the first-ever Major League Pickleball (MLP) draft was held, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history. The draft took place at the Dreamland facility in Dripping Springs, Texas, where team owners and captains gathered to select their players for the inaugural season of the professional team-based pickleball league.

The draft consisted of four rounds, with each of the eight teams selecting four players to form their roster. The teams competing in the inaugural season were the BLQK, Clean Cause, Florida Smash, Hard Eights, Mad Drops, Ranchers, Team Rally, and The Bus.

Notable players drafted included top-ranked professional pickleballers such as Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, Tyson McGuffin, and Irina Tereschenko. The first overall pick was Irina Tereschenko, selected by the Florida Smash.

The creation of Major League Pickleball and the subsequent draft signified the growing popularity and professionalization of the sport. The league aimed to showcase the best pickleball players in the world, competing in a team format to increase fan engagement and attract new audiences to the sport.

The inaugural MLP season took place from August 5-7, 2022, at the Legacy Sports USA complex in Mesa, Arizona. This event marked the beginning of a new era in pickleball history, as the sport continues to gain recognition and attract top-tier athletes from around the world.