Table Talk with MLTT (Major League Table Tennis):

Firsthand Insights into Inaugural Season’s First Half

A big-league start for the inaugural season of Major League Table Tennis - Tampa Bay Table Tennis (TB) chats with MLTT about what has happened so far in the first half of the inaugural MLTT season and what lies ahead for MLTT and its fanatical fanbase. Thank you very much to Max Thompson, MLTT’s V.P. Marketing, for this interview and the whole MLTT team for providing us with so much epic table tennis to enjoy! Interview conducted by Page Harris.

 

TB: A common theme in statements from MLTT was that the opening weekend had “significantly exceeded expectations”. Now that the first half of the inaugural season has concluded, can you expand a little on MLTT’s expectations coming into the season and how they were exceeded during these past few months of extraordinary table tennis action?

 

MLTT: A professional table tennis league has never been tried in America, and launching a professional sports league of any kind is a massive undertaking. As if those two facts don’t make the task daunting enough, this was a new format, and brought players from all over the world straight into teams without much chance to build relationships or chemistry before that first weekend in Daytona Beach. That’s a lot to swallow, and there were doubters out there. So when we launched with a smooth first weekend with very few hiccups, riveting action, and plenty of passion from everyone on the floor and in the building, it was easy to feel like we exceeded expectations.


 

TB: The innovative format of the team matches and the importance of overall points standings place immense pressure on the coaches to adequately strategize and adapt on the fly. Which coaches do you feel excelled in these areas so far? Perhaps they commanded a team of underdogs to an unexpected win or consistently crafted a Golden Game roster that gave them the edge. Similarly, were there any specific players that surprised or impressed you with their performances?

 

MLTT: We’re really fortunate to have a league full of great coaches. First, I think you have to give credit to the team that’s at the top of the East Division and has really been the most consistent. Alex Yang and the Carolina Gold Rush have put themselves in a really strong position heading into the second half of the season. Maggie Tian’s Bay Area Blasters held the line for the West Division in our Cross Division tournament in Rock Hill, and have been the most consistent in that division. As for underdogs, you have to tip your hat to the turnaround by Mathias Habesohn’s Princeton Revolution, who couldn’t buy a break early on and have really become a team that finds a way.

 

When it comes to players, the beauty of our format is almost every weekend, someone new is the hero. Seriously, watch any team match and you’ll get a new storyline and a new standout who leads the charge or saves the day. Our stars have delivered — Enzo Angles and Daniel Gorak have been in the top 5 of our player rankings all season — and perhaps less heralded players have certainly made an impact. A great example in that category would be Koyo Kanamitsu, picked in the 8th round of our inaugural draft, but currently No. 3 in our player rankings.


 

TB: Opening Night - Florida Crocs vs. Princeton Revolution - We saw unsigned free agent Senura Silva step in and step up in a serious way with his excellent skills. Silva was eventually signed to the Bay Area Blasters. Then we saw additional alternates given a chance to shine later in the season as well. Can we expect to see more surprise alternates during the second half of the season and do teams have the option to pick up unsigned players who impress them before the season ends?

 

MLTT: Senura has been a great story, and we’ve had some really clutch performances from free agents filling in for players who had national team or other commitments, but I wouldn’t expect permanent roster replacements to be something that happens too often. We set up the roster sizes to give the teams the flexibility to rotate as necessary.

 


TB: From an online viewing standpoint, the streams have seemed to mostly run without a hitch. Has it been smooth sailing behind the scenes? Were there any unexpected challenges that came up or changes you needed to make as the match streams got underway? Can you tell us a little more about your future streaming plans and the partnership with Bally Live?

 

MLTT: Live broadcasting is anything but smooth sailing behind the scenes, no matter how big the production, but you’re right that we’ve had very few hitches and a lot of that credit goes to the hardworking AUDL (American Ultimate Disc League) production team working with us. One challenge we’re particularly proud of pulling off was broadcasting the concurrent matches at Rock Hill, one on our YouTube channel and the other on Adam Bobrow’s. An effort like that is all about delivering for the fans, and we were very pleased with the result.

 

The partnership with Bally Live is really just getting started, and we think we’re only scratching the surface and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the future holds.  In addition, we expect our matches to be streamed elsewhere like FuboTV because our content is so exciting.

 


TB: One of the things that stood out to me from the broadcasts was players mentioning that they never imagined they would be playing professional table tennis in the U.S. Of course, one of the main tenets of CEO Flint Lane’s vision for MLTT is to provide exactly that - to give high-level players a domestic opportunity to aspire to - particularly for the incredible youth players we have in the US who are often faced with the choice of giving up the game or leaving to play abroad. What type of feedback have you received from coaches, players, and fans after MLTT’s momentous start?

 

MLTT: We have a lot of growing to do, but the feedback has been very, very positive. For so many people in the United States, something like this has always felt like a dream, and at times it can still feel surreal. I often find myself on game weekends, seeing the smiles, frustrations, celebrations, tears — all of it, and I remind myself that this wouldn’t exist without a very determined group of people who made the dream a reality. It’s pretty special, and I know it means a lot to so many in the table tennis community.

 

And then I snap out of living in that moment, and start thinking about the road ahead. There’s still so much to accomplish.

 


TB: Speaking of the broadcasts; the commentary team of Evan Lepler and Sean O’Neill did a tremendous job throughout the first-half of the season and Adam Bobrow was in his natural element interacting with the crowd at the events and online during his special Cross-Divisional Weekend live streams. We also saw Matt Hetherington put his exemplary commentary skills to use providing the audience with astute insights into this wonderful game. How do you feel about the overall product that MLTT put out for online viewers and live attendees? Are there plans for another TV broadcast similar to the ESPN2 Showdown on the Ocho in the future?

 

MLTT: Our commentators are consummate professionals and I think that’s another reason the broadcasts move so smoothly. Lots of things come up during live sports that weren’t scripted — that’s the beauty for everyone, always — but it can be a nightmare if you’re wearing the headset and guiding the viewers. Evan never misses a beat, and he’s always paired with a fountain of table tennis knowledge whether Sean or Matt are by his side. And I’m glad you mentioned Adam because he’s so versatile. Whether he’s raising the energy level in the building, or putting his unique spin on the broadcast, he’s always keeping everyone on their toes.

 


TB: What have been some of the most exciting moments for the MLTT Team so far and what are you most looking forward to during this inaugural season?

 

MLTT: There have been too many to count, but a few come to mind. The relief and elation after opening day. Our head of technology Tapa Dey filling in as an emergency injury substitute in Pleasanton in front of a great crowd. Getting through the cross division weekend in Rock Hill after packing so many matches into three days.

 

We’re all excited to see how everyone finishes, and to crown the first-ever MLTT champions.

 


TB: MLTT recently released some incredible news about notable figures becoming team owners. What does it mean to MLTT to have star athletes such as Dimitrij Ovtcharov (Table Tennis) and Manu Ginobili (Basketball) as team owners? Do you see celebrity buy-in (such as in pickleball) as a catalyst for increasing the popularity of table tennis in the USA? Have you reached out to Justin Bieber (Ping-pong enthusiast and pop singing sensation)? Also, are there any particular player pools you are looking to tap into for season two and beyond? We have many players from Europe (especially France) and the USA taking advantage of this opportunity. South America has tremendous talent with many players participating in the European table tennis Leagues and of course, the level in Asia is incredibly high. Is recruiting more talent on a worldwide scale a priority for MLTT and are there any plans to partner or work with other leagues in collaborative or competitive capacities?

 

MLTT: We’re extremely pleased with everyone who has signed on to become team owners, and discussions continue behind the scenes. Celebrity owners certainly add a boost for a lot of sports organizations, but it will always start with fit. To have big names who trust and believe in the project is the perfect combination, and we’ve got that with Dimitrij and Manu. 


We just announced we’ll have another draft ahead of next season, and will open that registration pool on Jan. 15, which will be welcome news to the many players from all over the world that we’ve heard from since before this first season even started.

 

 

TB: I’ve been following MLTT developments since its inception and if there is one thing that I know for sure, it is that Major League Table Tennis dreams big and follows through in an even bigger way. Things are just getting started but I know you are looking ahead. Are there any big ideas popping up to elevate MLTT to an even higher level in future seasons?

 

MLTT: Always! But we can’t spoil any surprises, so stay tuned.

 


TB: One last question... Think you’re good? Just kidding... Thank you so much for your time and for putting on such an amazing show. I can’t wait to see what more MLTT has in store. Do you have anything you want to say to your fans as we eagerly await the start of the second half of the inaugural season?

 

MLTT: In the first four months of this season, I have already witnessed so many people fall into the “Think You’re Good?” trap that I’ll never even pretend I’m good, even for a laugh.

 

We’re incredibly grateful for the fans, players, partners and volunteers that have helped us on this journey, and for all of the action still to come. There are so many storylines that we’re only just beginning to experience, and seeing how it all plays out will be a blast.



[Interview concluded]



TB: Wow! Those were some amazing insights into MLTT's inaugural season so far... If the first half was any indication, then the second half is going to be out of this world!


Publish date: 01/16/24


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