Samin Odhwani
Commissioner, Major League PickleballLeague governance
MLP Commissioner overseeing league governance and competitive integrity — authority over rule changes, fines, trade approvals, and scheduling. Ranked #12 on The Kitchen's 2026 Power 50.
Worth Knowing
- Studied mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech and won both people's-choice and discipline awards in the senior design competition.
- Worked across the NBA, Octagon, Kevin Durant's 35V, and Boardroom before moving into professional pickleball.
- Served as GM of the Brooklyn Aces before becoming MLP commissioner, giving him experience on both the team and league sides.
Conner Ogden
COO, Major League Pickleball & PPA TourLeague operations, sales & sponsorship
COO for both MLP and the PPA Tour; also leads PPA sales and sponsorship strategy. Close friend of Connor Pardoe. Ranked #14 on The Kitchen's 2026 Power 50.
Worth Knowing
- Co-founded the PPA Tour with Connor Pardoe in 2019 before taking responsibility for operations across both the PPA and MLP.
- Now runs the daily operating engine of the two largest U.S. professional pickleball properties at the same time.
- His public work spans event operations, sales, sponsorship, and league scaling.
Courtney Johnson
Director of Team Competition, UPACompetition operations
Oversees competitive structure across MLP; previously Head of Competition and Director of Officiating. Ranked #50 on The Kitchen's 2026 Power 50.
Worth Knowing
- Started playing pickleball in 2012 and became a USA Pickleball certified referee in 2018 after noticing tournament shortages.
- Has attended every MLP event since the league's first event in 2021 and joined its officiating operation in early 2022.
- Her role grew from on-court officiating into league-wide competition and team-competition oversight.
Jason Stein
UPA Board of Directors; major MLP investorCo-founder & Managing Partner, SC Holdings
One of the largest investors in MLP and a UPA board member shaping ownership strategy and league governance. Ranked #18 on The Kitchen's 2026 Power 50.
Worth Knowing
- Co-founded SC Holdings and leads its strategy across consumer brands, sports, entertainment, and hospitality.
- Previously built Cycle Media to roughly 600 employees before its acquisition by Wasserman in 2015.
- Serves on boards including the United Pickleball Association, Hyperice, MADE Hoops, and Athletic Greens, and advises The SpringHill Company.