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Johns Brothers Address, Players React: Controversial MLP Withdrawal
Major League Pickleball

Johns Brothers Address, Players React: Controversial MLP Withdrawal

by Erik Tice on

Citing “lighting concerns” Ben Johns, and his brother Collin, have withdrawn for the remainder of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) Columbus Presented by The James at Ohio State event.

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What Happened on the Court

Thursday

The MLP Columbus event began Thursday afternoon at 2pm with the Carolina Hogs facing off against the Phoenix Flames at the Pickle and Chill facility in Columbus, Ohio.

The match ended in a Dreambreaker, with the Flames winning, 23-21. 

As mentioned in the X post, Carolina played with Liz Truluck, instead of Kaitlyn Christian, who is dealing with a slight injury.

Friday

In the first match on Grandstand Court on Friday morning, The Carolina Hogs faced off against the Atlanta Bouncers. The match started at 11am.

The only game the Hogs won was women’s doubles. After that, Ben and Collin lost 7-11 to Todd Fought and Jaume Martinez Vich. 

In mixed doubles, Ben Johns and Tammy Emmrich lost 1-11 to Martinez Vich and Vivian Glozman. Johns was obviously disinterested in a not providing even close to normal level of effort. Some clips of his lack of trying were posted by the memesofpickleball IG account:

In the second mixed doubles match, Collin Johns and Liz Truluck lost 2-11 to Victoria DiMuzio and Fought. 

This meant the Hogs lost the match 3-1, with Ben Johns losing of his games.

The Withdrawal

Shortly after the Atlanta match ended, it was announced that Ben and Collin Johns were withdrawing from the rest of the MLP Columbus event, due to issues with the lighting at the venue.

Ramifications of the Withdrawal

Already playing in tough conditions, with Kaitlyn Christian out, the Carolina Hogs are facing a huge uphill battle for the remainder of the weekend.

MLP moved the remaining Hogs matches on the weekend to Grandstand Court, to “showcase our best product at all times”.

 

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Within hours of Ben and Collin withdrawing, the Hogs had to play the Orlando Squeeze. In order to field a team, the Hogs had to use on-site alternates Martin Emmrich and Ross Whittaker. 

Whittaker is a recent UPA signed player and has never played MLP before and rarely plays on the PPA Tour. Emmrich served as an on-site alternate last weekend in Orlando as well. Of note, he is the husband of the Hogs’ Tammy Emmrich.

The Hogs lost the match 4-0 in regulation, with scorelines of 11-7, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3. They had to start the men’s doubles match down 0-1 and both mixed doubles matches 0-1, due to new rules involving on-site alternates:

Hogs Outlook Moving Forward

Liz Truluck had a previous conflict, so she is unavailable Saturday and Sunday. Instead, the Hogs will turn to Zoey Weil, the available female on-site alternate. So Tammy Emmrich, Zoey Weil, Martin Emmrich, and Ross Whittaker will be representing the Hogs on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Hogs have the following matches to play this weekend (all on Grandstand Court):

  • Saturday, March 3 - 12:45pm ET - Chicago Slice
  • Saturday, March 3 - 4:15pm ET - New York Hustlers
  • Sunday, March 4 - 1:30pm ET - Miami Pickleball Club’

As a reminder, because of the new on-site alternate rule, Carolina will begin every single game down 0-1.

Of note, Ben and Collin Johns seem to have left the facility and were not seen on-site cheering on their teammates, despite withdrawing.

Reactions from Every Angle

Needless to say, this has become a viral social media issue with plenty of takes all-around. We will break the reactions up by categories and keep threads together in order to provide clarity.

League Officials and MLP Itself

Major League Pickleball X post at 5:35pm ET:

Connor Pardoe - CEO of the UPA, X post at 5:49pm ET (14 minutes later):

Ben and Collin Johns’ Statement

At approximately 5:26pm ET (less than 10 minutes prior to the MLP X post), Ben Johns (along with Collin Johns) made the following statement on Ben’s Instagram Stories:

Ben Johns' IG Story
Ben Johns' IG Story

Collin Johns added:

Collin Johns' IG Story

Pickle & Chill Official Statement

We were asked to comment on Ben and Colin Johns withdrawing from the MLP Columbus event. Ben and Colin are all-time greats and like so many of the fans, we were disappointed by the news.  
Our facility has a long-standing reputation for hosting elite competition, including eight ATP and WTA professional tennis events, and we were the home to Ohio State’s Division I championship tennis program for 15 years. Currently, we are the home for a national tennis academy that trains top national junior and professional players.
Player safety is a top priority. While we have not experienced lighting concerns in the past, we take all feedback seriously and are reviewing the matter thoroughly.
MLP Columbus has showcased exceptional talent, thrilling matches, and passionate fans. We are proud to be part of this moment in Major League Pickleball and look forward to the continued growth of the sport.

Professional Player Social Media Posts

Plenty of players wanted to weigh in on the withdrawal. Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Todd Fought all made statements.

Zane Navratil & Ben Johns Back and Forth

Zane posted on X:

Ben’s response exactly one hour later:

Ben adds another response to the thread:

Zane’s response:

MLP Executive Reactions

Jimmy Miller - President and GM of the California Black Bears, and the co-host of the KOTC Podcast.

Jimmy Miller pointing out this venue has hosted ATP Tennis tournaments before, countering Ben's point that the light isn't good:

Ritchie Tuazon -  Owner of the California Black Bears

Travis Rettenmaier - Owner and Player of the Florida Smash (in response to The Dink IG post)

Ross Chaifitz - Owner and GM of the St. Louis Shock (in response to The Dink IG post)

As always, stay tuned for more breaking news and subscribe to The Dink newsletter for all the pro pickleball information.

Erik Tice

Erik Tice

Erik produces content for The Dink related to pro and collegiate pickleball. He is an avid watcher of pickleball and became passionate about the sport in early 2022.

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