Ben & Collin Johns Forfeit MLP Columbus Payouts Over Lighting
What's the Score?
Ben and Collin Johns have agreed to forfeit their event payouts from the recent MLP Columbus event. This decision comes after they withdrew from their remaining matches due to concerns related to the venue's lighting conditions.
Hit it deeper!
According to a statement released by Major League Pickleball (MLP), Ben and Collin Johns were granted permission to withdraw from their remaining matches through on-site league approval after a formal review of the events at MLP Columbus 2025. The brothers, who play for the Carolina Hogs team, participated in two matches at the Pickle & Chill venue in Columbus, Ohio, before their withdrawal was announced. Ben Johns later defended their decision on X/Twitter, asserting that the venue's lighting levels were significantly below minimum professional tennis standards, measuring approximately 1/3 of those levels, and argued that pickleball should meet similar requirements. He also mentioned his personal history of eye damage. The Johns' withdrawal necessitated the Carolina Hogs team using two on-site alternates, Martin Emmrich and Ross Whittaker, to be able to field a complete team for their final four matches. The Carolina Hogs concluded the Columbus event with a 0-6 record, bringing their season total to 0-8. Despite this, both Ben and Collin Johns are scheduled to compete at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships next week and will return to MLP action with the Hogs at MLP Salt Lake City in early June.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The incident involving Ben and Collin Johns withdrawing from MLP Columbus over lighting concerns and subsequently forfeiting their payouts brings attention to the importance of venue standards in professional pickleball. Ben Johns' public comments underscore a call for establishing and adhering to minimum lighting requirements, drawing a comparison to other professional sports. The situation also illustrates the potential impact of player decisions on team performance within the MLP format.