Ben, Collin Johns agree to forfeit MLP Columbus payouts for withdrawals
Ben and Collin Johns are forfeiting their event payouts for this past weekend’s MLP Columbus event, according to a statement released by Major League Pickleball Wednesday evening.
After formal review of the events at the MLP Columbus 2025 event, it has been determined that Ben Johns and Collin Johns were granted permission to withdraw from their remaining matches through on-site league approval.
— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) May 7, 2025
Ben Johns and Collin Johns have agreed to forfeit their…
The brothers and Carolina Hogs teammates played in two matches at the event held at Pickle & Chill in Columbus, Ohio before it was announced that they would be withdrawing due to concerns with the venue’s lighting.
That forced the Hogs to use two on-site alternates—Martin Emmrich and Ross Whittaker—just to be able to field a full squad for their remaining four matches.
Carolina finished the weekend 0-6, which brings their season record to 0-8.
Ben—who has eye damage from a childhood sledding accident—defended the withdrawal on X/Twitter, saying that the venue came nowhere close to meeting minimum lighting standards for professional tennis and that pickleball should adhere to those same standards.
The levels of light here, by the numbers, are ~1/3 that of professional tennis. There have to be some minimum standards met. I would respect anyone’s choice not play in this, including his, disregarding my extra medical issue. H just got hit in the face. Coincidence? Maybe.
— Ben Johns (@BenJohns_pb) May 2, 2025
Carolina won’t be in action again until MLP Salt Lake City in early June, but both brothers will compete at next week’s Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships.
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