New Jersey Win MLP Austin, Then Dallas Ships Tyra Black to Columbus in First Big Trade

Anna Leigh Waters did what Anna Leigh Waters does. She entered MLP Austin sitting atop the overall player standings at 32–2,▶ pickleball.com (news wire) ↗ anchoring New Jersey through women's doubles and mixed in a way that "almost guarantees her team two wins" per match.

She sits atop the overall player standings at 32-2.

New Jersey ultimately claimed the event, defeating Columbus for the Super Sunday crown.▶ pickleball.com (news wire) ↗ Texas had their best showing in a while — third place, with Eric Oncins getting consistent praise for finally playing at the level of his ranking.▶ pickleball.com (news wire) ↗ Dallas was the cautionary tale: a 1–4 pool-play record and last place among all 11 teams.

In Austin, it was a disaster, with Dallas going 1-4 in pool play and finishing dead last among the 11 teams.

Then the off-court headline dropped. Coming out of Austin, Dallas confirmed a trade: Tyra Black to Columbus in exchange for Dani-Elle Townsend and cash.▶ pickleball.com (news wire) ↗ Black is a top-five women's player but a free agent after 2026 — no keeper value for a Dallas team that's in full rebuild mode. Townsend, by contrast, can reportedly be locked up through 2028 at a keeper price of $180,000.

Townsend can be kept not only for 2027, but also 2028, at a fairly reasonable keeper price of $180,000.

For Columbus it's an unmistakable signal. Their new lineup of Parris Todd, Tyra Black, Andrei Daescu, and CJ Klinger gives them four top-10 starters and no obvious weak link — a roster built to repeat as champions.

Columbus trading to get Tyra Black sends a very clear message to the whole league: Columbus is all-in trying to repeat as champion.

The MLP trade deadline is June 30. More moves are expected.