<![CDATA[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 break down the teams, the rivalries, the stories, and the people behind the fastest growing sport in the world — no filter, no PR spin, just real talk from two guys who live it.

New episodes weekly. Subscribe and pull up a chair.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:16:05 GMTThu, 28 May 2026 04:42:18 GMT60Shay Coker & Jeff McKnight<p>Welcome to The Champions Table — the unofficial insider podcast of the MLP Champions Series, the world's premier 50+ professional pickleball league.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 break down the teams, the rivalries, the stories, and the people behind the fastest growing sport in the world — no filter, no PR spin, just real talk from two guys who live it.<br /><br />New episodes weekly. Subscribe and pull up a chair.</p>episodicShay Coker & Jeff McKnightshaycoker@gmail.comno<![CDATA[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 Europe and South America. It provides insights into the growth and development of the sport, as well as the strategic considerations for expanding the MLP Champion Series globally.

Takeaways

  • Professional Pickleball Players
  • Major League Pickleball
  • Team Rankings
  • Pickleball Ball Selection MLP Champion Series attracting top players
  • Local talent and community engagement
  • Scalability challenges in Europe and South America

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Player Feedback
  • 05:43 Lifetime Ball Selection and Chicago Event
  • 17:09 Introduction of Zach Hunter and Palm Beach Royals
  • 27:03 Zach Hunter's Involvement in Major League Pickleball
  • 32:56 The Future of MLP Champion Series
  • 59:28 Scalability Challenges in Europe and South America
]]>d6142665-d95a-4115-8a67-d4671da3b105Thu, 28 May 2026 04:59:03 GMT<p>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 Europe and South America. It provides insights into the growth and development of the sport, as well as the strategic considerations for expanding the MLP Champion Series globally.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Professional Pickleball Players</li><li>Major League Pickleball</li><li>Team Rankings</li><li>Pickleball Ball Selection MLP Champion Series attracting top players</li><li>Local talent and community engagement</li><li>Scalability challenges in Europe and South America</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Player Feedback</li><li>05:43 Lifetime Ball Selection and Chicago Event</li><li>17:09 Introduction of Zach Hunter and Palm Beach Royals</li><li>27:03 Zach Hunter's Involvement in Major League Pickleball</li><li>32:56 The Future of MLP Champion Series</li><li>59:28 Scalability Challenges in Europe and South America</li></ul>no01:02:2212Interview with MLP Palm Beach Royals co-owner Zach Hunterfull<![CDATA[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 for various teams in the upcoming season.

Takeaways

  • Rebranding to Major League Pickleball Champion Series
  • New and returning players in the league Key player movements
  • New team lineups

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and League Rebranding
  • 05:03 Top Players and Season Preview
  • 10:00 New Additions to the League
  • 14:57 Player Roster Changes
  • 19:58 League Merger and Team Dynamics
  • 25:11 Player Lineup Changes
  • 30:43 Las Vegas Headliners Team Formation
  • 36:52 Team Expectations
]]>660a25d7-8b2c-4c03-a2c0-96df39458718Thu, 28 May 2026 04:51:18 GMT<p>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 for various teams in the upcoming season.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Rebranding to Major League Pickleball Champion Series</li><li>New and returning players in the league Key player movements</li><li>New team lineups</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and League Rebranding</li><li>05:03 Top Players and Season Preview</li><li>10:00 New Additions to the League</li><li>14:57 Player Roster Changes</li><li>19:58 League Merger and Team Dynamics</li><li>25:11 Player Lineup Changes</li><li>30:43 Las Vegas Headliners Team Formation</li><li>36:52 Team Expectations</li></ul>no00:47:5211Preview of 2026 MLP Champions Seasonfull