Major League Table Tennis (MLTT)

[Tony's Table Tennis]

If you are coming from a part of the world where flights are more expensive, it is expected. It gives an advantage to the players who want to stay or be in the USA. But I suspect if they pay the player enough, it won't matter as much. So it is a combination of things, not a one size fits all. They are not running a democracy, they are running a business.

what do you do when you have 12 weeks of league schedule inside 7 months?
you can't live in USA for the salary you earn from MLTT

you will need to end up coaching for a living and then play leagues part time.

is the salaries of the players public knowledge yet?

 

[NextLevel]

so its a guess that they are rich, but no one knows how much
but players are not earning a lot
so... are they making money?
burning money?
or what

you guys are talking about deep pockets and have no problem landing super stars

We know the businesses that some of the owners have founded, managed and sold and what those businesses made. The players are earning something that sounds good to me, but I don't know how much TT players make in general. But for how much they play and not having an extra club commitments, they are well compensated. At least the top ones.

 

[NextLevel]

what do you do when you have 12 weeks of league schedule inside 7 months?
you can't live in USA for the salary you earn from MLTT

you will need to end up coaching for a living and then play leagues part time.

is the salaries of the players public knowledge yet?

Can you tell me what league that salaries of players is public knowledge?

You don't have to live in the USA, many of the players play in other countries as well. But players who live in the USA and have other commitments in the USA can take advantage. Players who play in Europe or the Americas and can find reasonable commercial flights are usually fine with the arrangement. The players who would probably struggle the most are players who have to repeatedly fly in from Asia.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

so are you saying, they have already thrown money into the the MLTT teams, but still allow low salary for players, and the players need to use some of that money to find flights to get to America?

that is mean then.

I am not saying anything about the airfare stipend. I am saying that there are very wealthy owners, founders, sponsors, and other people involved with MLTT right now who have the money and desire to get big names more involved. And as I've said twice it remains to be seen how they want to spend their money but I am saying that they have the financial ability and personal desire to pull the trigger on a big move if they choose to do so. The Princeton owners recently flying in Dima to hang out and do a demo at their club in NJ (it is not the first nor the last time with Dima in particular) for the weekend for fun is just one small example.

Apart from Pitchford there are hardly any household names in MLTT. Setting a reasonable stipend on airfare and salary for lower tier players is not cruel nor a bad business decision. And the stipend covers the vast majority or all of the airfare for most Western European players and all domestic players which is nearly everyone in the playerbase. Exceptions are made in cases of better players who they really want in the league. Not naming names there though.

 

[NextLevel]

I am not saying anything about the airfare stipend. I am saying that there are very wealthy owners, founders, sponsors, and other people involved with MLTT right now who have the money and desire to get big names more involved. And as I've said twice it remains to be seen how they want to spend their money but I am saying that they have the financial ability and personal desire to pull the trigger on a big move if they choose to do so. The Princeton owners recently flying in Dima to hang out and do a demo at their club in NJ (it is not the first nor the last time with Dima in particular) for the weekend for fun is just one small example.

Apart from Pitchford there are hardly any household names in MLTT. Setting a reasonable stipend on airfare and salary for lower tier players is not cruel nor a bad business decision. And the stipend covers the vast majority or all of the airfare for most Western European players and all domestic players which is nearly everyone in the playerbase. Exceptions are made in cases of better players who they really want in the league. Not naming names there though.

Dima is also an investor in MLTT lol...

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I am not saying anything about the airfare stipend. I am saying that there are very wealthy owners, founders, sponsors, and other people involved with MLTT right now who have the money and desire to get big names more involved. And as I've said twice it remains to be seen how they want to spend their money but I am saying that they have the financial ability and personal desire to pull the trigger on a big move if they choose to do so. The Princeton owners recently flying in Dima to hang out and do a demo at their club in NJ (it is not the first nor the last time with Dima in particular) for the weekend for fun is just one small example.

Apart from Pitchford there are hardly any household names in MLTT. Setting a reasonable stipend on airfare and salary for lower tier players is not cruel nor a bad business decision. And the stipend covers the vast majority or all of the airfare for most Western European players and all domestic players which is nearly everyone in the playerbase. Exceptions are made in cases of better players who they really want in the league. Not naming names there though.

yep

and until we see true spending of money
its all based on "possibilities" at this very moment.

Ask Dima to come for all 12 weeks and see if he agrees. The league schedule is very difficult for elites pros.
Trust me - just go and match the 7 months to that of more important scheduling.
The pay either needs to be great, or the schedule to be easy, or attract old/retired players that aren't active much or young unknown players.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

yep

and until we see true spending of money
its all based on "possibilities" at this very moment.

Ask Dima to come for all 12 weeks and see if he agrees. The league schedule is very difficult for elites pros.
Trust me - just go and match the 7 months to that of more important scheduling.
The pay either needs to be great, or the schedule to be easy, or attract old/retired players that aren't active much or young unknown players.

They need to prove the concept first before making splash signings left and right. I am not disputing your point about the schedule...

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Can you tell me what league that salaries of players is public knowledge?

well, i thought the locals can dig more info then me.

You don't have to live in the USA, many of the players play in other countries as well. But players who live in the USA and have other commitments in the USA can take advantage. Players who play in Europe or the Americas and can find reasonable commercial flights are usually fine with the arrangement. The players who would probably struggle the most are players who have to repeatedly fly in from Asia.

flying from Asia to USA isn't that much more costly than Europe to America. so it surely can't be that heavily influenced on cost factor, or you limiting out a huge population of potential elite TT players.

there isn't really that many matches, or teams for 7 months season. there sure isn't that much money to justify such a long period too.

if there are 2 back to back weekends in a month and every month for 4 or 5 months, then maybe, I would enter a couple of players in.
they would fly over for 2 weekends and leave. Irrespective on the income, as I would want them to gain match experience and I'm talking about 2700 level players.

But right now, 2 btb weekends are few, it is mostly 3 or 4 week between the weekend matches.

can't have someone living in for such long time, where the income can't even cover the living costs (the league doesn't cover your stay, other than the league match weekend). and the goal is active player who should be training and active matches (and shouldn't become like many of the players in MLTT that are full time coaches and treat MLTT as part time income).

There is also not a lot of WTT events for them to take part in the Americas to fit inside the schedules compared to say Asia or Europe, the above is 10 flights coming in and out.
so it won't be easy, and doing some magic on the league schedule should be a starter.
its 8 teams, and 7 months.
what happens when it becomes 12 teams...

 

[NextLevel]

well, i thought the locals can dig more info then me.


flying from Asia to USA isn't that much more costly than Europe to America. so it surely can't be that heavily influenced on cost factor, or you limiting out a huge population of potential elite TT players.

there isn't really that many matches, or teams for 7 months season. there sure isn't that much money to justify such a long period too.

if there are 2 back to back weekends in a month and every month for 4 or 5 months, then maybe, I would enter a couple of players in.
they would fly over for 2 weekends and leave. Irrespective on the income, as I would want them to gain match experience and I'm talking about 2700 level players.

But right now, 2 btb weekends are few, it is mostly 3 or 4 week between the weekend matches.

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can't have someone living in for such long time, where the income can't even cover the living costs (the league doesn't cover your stay, other than the league match weekend). and the goal is active player who should be training and active matches (and shouldn't become like many of the players in MLTT that are full time coaches and treat MLTT as part time income).

There is also not a lot of WTT events for them to take part in the Americas to fit inside the schedules compared to say Asia or Europe, the above is 10 flights coming in and out.
so it won't be easy, and doing some magic on the league schedule should be a starter.
its 8 teams, and 7 months.
what happens when it becomes 12 teams...

Yet there are quite a few players playing... it doesn't make sense for some players but it makes sense for Pitchford, Olah and Enzo... different strokes for different folks. There is always Russia, France, Germany etc. or even Super League or Jia A if you can make it.

 

[AchyGeorge]

Without an influx of elite players I think Ma Long could probably spot the current players in MLTT 5 or 6 points a game and still end up with an overall winning record.
Aside from all money and practicality issues, do we think there’s any current MLTT player who would reliably beat Chen Meng?

 

[ThePongCommenter]

Aside from all money and practicality issues, do we think there’s any current MLTT player who would reliably beat Chen Meng?

On the women's side obviously not but on the men's side there are a lot who would.

 

[NextLevel]

Without an influx of elite players I think Ma Long could probably spot the current players in MLTT 5 or 6 points a game and still end up with an overall winning record.
Aside from all money and practicality issues, do we think there’s any current MLTT player who would reliably beat Chen Meng?

I think you place too much of a focus on the individual player and not enough on the CNT preparation system. He would be the favorite in all his matches, but he would lose his fair share of games because adjusting against players and being consistent in the face of quality opposition always comes with wrinkles.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Yet there are quite a few players playing... it doesn't make sense for some players but it makes sense for Pitchford, Olah and Enzo... different strokes for different folks. There is always Russia, France, Germany etc. or even Super League or Jia A if you can make it.

Well
I am coming back to my initial post about the level of the league.
I guess you feel it is acceptable… and I feel it is not high enough. Even after the names you listed in this season. And why so few of them?

Maybe you are too attached to it due to it being something from nothing just 2 years ago. But whether that or patriotic, it still won’t change my mind that the level there at the moment is just pretty average.

I know it is always easy to talk about getting who and who into the league and how deep the pockets are, but until that day comes, there are hurdles to overcome and trying to feel that things are too perfect will just slow the growth.

I am not sure if you just want a debate or you in denial. You probably do agree on some of what I have said, but you simply just brushing them off.

Mltt is good for the sport no doubt and I am not arguing about that. There are way too much to overcome and a lot of the issues are probably preferred to be push aside or what ever from what I see from you.

How about you name me 3 or 5 things of what needs to be done, before Ma Long or FZD comes to play in the MLTT

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

okay, here is another question on the subject on pro salary in the MLTT (since the salary is supposedly good, but then also unknown)

how many of the Chinese coaches (which isn't too many of them in the team rosters) that are playing as a pro player (earning a salary for playing in the very first time in the USA) are still coaching full time (or even part time)? Or have they become full time players and training for the league, since the salary is good enough?

Don't get me wrong, it is very good for all those younger (lower level) players. But for all those that can be 2650+ (and ratio for the women's side) and have loss so much form since moving to the USA, are they striving to become higher, to compete, or is the MLTT just part time income for them?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

So, seems like not many people are able to come out and talk about salary (but have a lot to say of money available for Ma Long etc).

Today, I was sorting out some league business with a national coach and he actually told me another Japanese player that we are connected to wants to try out with MLTT next season. A son of former LYJ's coach. Both dad and mom are former CNT players basically (yes, Japan has a lot of them).

So the salary range the national coach gave me is pretty much similar to that of what I have been told. It was better a little bit. He wasn't aware of the flight coverage and assumed it was to be fully covered, but i guess that will be something to be negotiated on, for next season.

I did tell him, it is a 12 week league, inside a period of 7 months, and he agreed it is far too long.

Let's see how season 3 plans out.

 

[d3nium]

Ma Long isn't available. I've signed him for Oldham league div 2. Sorry lads.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Ma Long isn't available. I've signed him for Oldham league div 2. Sorry lads.

damn!
lucky you

The English beaten the American's again.
I guess the American's just need to wait for the left overs again (like soccer)

 

[d3nium]

damn!
lucky you

The English beaten the American's again.
I guess the American's just need to wait for the left overs again (like soccer)

It was the promise of a free full English breakfast every Sunday morning that clinched us the deal.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

It was the promise of a free full English breakfast every Sunday morning that clinched us the deal.

Well, maybe we can get FZD. We've got Taylor Swift

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Well, maybe we can get FZD. We've got Taylor Swift

that is no good
FZD will get Dima and LYJ and all the others to go watch the concert, and you will be wondering why they didn't show up for MLTT