What Event Organizers Feel Are the Best Benefits of The Dink Minor League Pickleball
Ever wondered how much event organizers can earn from running The Dink Minor League Pickleball events (MiLP)?
Spoiler alert: Many of them earn a few thousand dollars per event.
We talked with a few organizers from across the country to ask about their experiences and the benefits of being an organizer for MiLP.
- Looking to organize a Minor League Pickleball event in your area? Click here for more details and information
The journey to The Dink Minor League Pickleball
Many event organizers have unique paths that led them to MiLP. Some were already organizing tournaments, while others noticed the unique format and decided this was what they wanted to do.
I got started in Minor League Pickleball in the summer of 2022. In collaboration with DUPR, I ran the DUPR Summer Series, which culminated in a team event.
This was like a pilot for what has evolved into The Dink Minor League Pickleball today. My club was one of the first ones to host a team event, and DUPR and I worked closely together, developing the concept that has become Minor League Pickleball.
- Carmen Sanz, Top Organizer for California, hosting West Coast Regional
Jason Flamm
I am a huge fan of innovation and when I heard about The Dink Minor League Pickleball, I knew I needed to be part of it. Our club is always looking to offer new and different formats to players and I knew this would be a huge hit.
- Pablo Granados, Top Organizer for the Northwest, Snoco Pickleball Association
Building community through MiLP events
If you ask most MiLP event organizers, they'll tell you about their passion for growing a strong pickleball community. For many, the benefits go beyond financial gain; it's part of the bigger picture of spreading the joy of pickleball.
Organizing these events has brought numerous benefits. Firstly, it has allowed me to build a strong sense of community among players and fans, fostering connections and camaraderie. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people from different backgrounds, ages and abilities come together, enjoy the sport, and support each other.
Additionally, these events have provided me with opportunities to collaborate with organizations like DUPR, enhancing my skills in event planning and management. The experience has also helped me grow professionally and personally, as I’ve learned to handle various challenges and adapt to different situations.
Moreover, organizing these events has increased visibility and participation in pickleball, promoting the sport and encouraging more people to get involved. This has been fulfilling as I’m passionate about growing the pickleball community and contributing to its development.
- Carmen Sanz
Jason Flamm
I get to stay connected with the pickleball community, and since many of my collegiate players play in these events, I get to watch them get better. I also got to meet some amazing people, and now I can travel with some of them to the Kansas City Minor League Regional!
- Ben Rasey, Top Organizer, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Jason Flamm
Making money doing something you love is priceless
There is no doubting the passion MiLP event organizers have for bringing these events to life. Of course, making a supplemental income through pickleball doesn't hurt.
Being a MiLP organizer can be very lucrative if you have the right crowd and are willing to put in the work. The days are very grueling but rewarding. I spend about 12 hours a day on the day of an event and am typically drained after, but I always have so much fun.
Typically I bring in $1,200 to $1,500 per event. This has helped boost my income for the year on top of the other socials and leagues I run outside of my full-time job as a Data Analyst.
- Ben Rasey
Jason Flamm
In summer when we can play outdoors, I would say anywhere from $1000 to $2000.
- Pablo Granados
Jason Flamm
Being a MiLP organizer is incredibly lucrative because when you get paid to do something you love, it’s truly fulfilling.
- Carmen Sanz
Advice for aspiring MiLP event organizers
The best place to go for advice on organizing events is through other organizers. One of the greatest assets you'll have as a MiLP event organizer is access to a community of people just like you.
My advice would be to start with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Building a reliable team is crucial; surround yourself with enthusiastic individuals who can help with logistics, promotion, and participant coordination.
Understand the rules and requirements thoroughly to ensure smooth operation.
- Carmen Sanz
MiLP events are straightforward to organize and run with the added benefit of using SWISH on event day. Players love the format of MiLP in that its a unique, team-based competition and it can be completed in less than a day.
- Stephen Conger & Michele Dabal, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania - co-own and run All State Pickleball, hosting Northeast Regional
The Dink Media Team
The unexpected joys of event organizing
From problem-solving to building quality events for other pickleball players to participate in the events themselves, MiLP event organizers all get something unique out of their experiences.
Every event runs a little differently. What really surprises me the most is how easy it was for me to run the first couple of events. I heavily focus on continuous improvement and send out a feedback survey after each event. Taking notes from players made running future events very simple.
- Ben Rasey
What has surprised me the most about my MiLP experiences to date is the sheer joy that playing in a team environment creates. The enthusiasm and strong desire for fun among players has been remarkable. It's been wonderful to see how much players enjoy not just playing, but also watching their teammates and cheering them on.
- Carmen Sanz
They relish the opportunity to work with teams and family
Every MiLP event organizer has a team of people they rely on to help them navigate their events. Some get to work with family, while others appreciate the extra time spent with friends.
I normally have the support of my wife, my son and my daughter.
- Pablo Granados
I always have people organize the events with me. There is at least one person with me throughout the day and my friends and close members to the club always try to get more people in the door to continue to make our tournaments more competitive!
- Ben Rasey
"My husband and I are a team in running our pickleball club. Together, we handle most of the work ourselves and on event days, we have wonderful helpers we trust to support us smoothly."
- Carmen Sanz
Interested in becoming a MiLP event organizer?
Organizing The Dink Minor League Pickleball events brings numerous rewards, from building community and promoting the sport to enjoying personal and financial benefits.
The challenges are real, but the joy and fulfillment far outweigh them, making it worthwhile for anyone passionate about pickleball.
If you're interested in becoming an event organizer for The Dink Minor League Pickleball, click here for more details and information.
A HUGE thank you to all the organizers who provided feedback on their experiences!
