mˈɛnz lˈiːɡ plˈeɪ bɪɡˈæn ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd tˈuː, tə kˈæpɪɾəlˌaɪz ˌɔn ɪŋkɹˈiːst wˈɜːldwaɪd pˌɑːpjʊlˈæɹᵻɾi ʌv wˈɔːɾɚ pˈoʊloʊ kɹiːˈeɪɾᵻd baɪ ðə tˈuː θˈaʊzənd əlˈɪmpɪk ɡˈeɪmz, ɪspˈɛʃəli ɪn jˈʊɹɹəp, nˈɔːɹθ ɐmˈɛɹɪkə ænd ɔːstɹˈeɪliə.
Men's league play began in 2002, to capitalize on increased worldwide popularity of water polo created by the 2000 Olympic Games, especially in Europe, North America and Australia.