Major League Pickleball (MLP), the fast-growing professional pickleball league, has announced a multi-year partnership with Advil, a leading name in pain relief.
This agreement has solidified Advil as the official and exclusive pain reliever of MLP, extending through the 2025 season.
The partnership kicks off with the pain reliever serving as the title sponsor for the inaugural MLP Mid-Season Tournament, a historic event featuring all 22 MLP franchises battling in a double-elimination format for the championship title. The tournament, held on July 10-14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be officially named the “Advil Targeted Relief MLP Mid-Season Tournament.”
Commenting on the association, MLP CEO Bruce Popko, said, “Advil is a trusted and effective pain reliever, and this agreement furthers MLP’s strategic partnerships in the health and wellness categories. We are so pleased to welcome Advil to the MLP family and have them serve as the title sponsor for our inaugural mid-season tournament.”
Karen Bouhadana, Senior Brand Director, Advil, continued, “We are thrilled to partner with MLP as its Official Pain Reliever. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Advil, coinciding with the launch of Advil Targeted Relief, Advil’s first topical pain reliever. Advil is committed to supporting athletic performance and recovery, and this partnership with MLP represents the next step in our mission to support athletes at every level. We are excited to bring the benefits of Advil to the passionate community of pickleball players and fans alike.”
Beyond the title sponsorship, Advil’s commitment extends to on-site activations. The brand will establish a dedicated “Advil Targeted Relief Zone” at the mid-season tournament, providing players with direct access to product samples. Additionally, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug will secure a prominent brand presence throughout the tournament, including televised broadcasts on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel and prominent signage on key courts.
Founded in 2021, MLP is a professional pickleball league featuring fast-paced matches with nearly 100 of the world’s top players. The dynamic league format boasts 22 teams competing across the United States in two seasons. With a significant prize purse attracting big-name players and owners, MLP is rapidly transforming pickleball into a major league sport.
Advil, a brand name for ibuprofen, has been a trusted pain relief solution since 1961. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) works by reducing inflammation and pain-causing hormones. The pain reliever is widely used to treat headaches, muscle aches, arthritis pain, and backaches.