James Ignatowich Backs Ben Johns and Collin Johns: In a new episode of The James Ignatowich Show, pro player James Ignatowich spoke about two big topics in pro pickleball right now: grip pressure and why Ben Johns and Collin Johns dropped out of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) event in Columbus. He explained that poor lighting at the event was the main reason. He also talked about how pro pickleball must improve to become more exciting to watch.
Bad Lighting Leads to Big Decision
Ben Johns and Collin Johns, the top men’s doubles team in the world, pulled out of the 2025 MLP Columbus due to poor lighting. James Ignatowich said the lighting was not good enough for a pro-level event. He believed it made playing unsafe and unfair for athletes.
“Tournament conditions really matter,” James Ignatowich said, adding that the lighting was below the standard needed. He did not blame MLP directly, but his words made it clear that many players were not happy.
The Johns brothers chose not to risk getting hurt or playing under unfair conditions. Their choice surprised fans, but it was also a message: pro players should expect pro-level playing conditions.
Pro Pickleball Has a Viewing Problem
James Ignatowich also shared concerns about how pro pickleball is shown to fans. He said that while the sport is growing fast, it still needs to improve in the way it’s presented to viewers.
“The current state of pro pickleball has a long way to go,” he said. James pointed to poor camera angles, low-quality production, and boring presentation as problems. He suggested using faster edits, better stories, behind-the-scenes footage, and improved marketing to keep fans interested.
For James Ignatowich, making the sport more fun to watch is just as important as fixing problems on the court.
Why This Matters to the Sport and Its Fans
Ben Johns and Collin Johns are not just top players—they are the faces of MLP. Their withdrawal told other players and fans that standards matter. It showed that if something isn’t right, even the biggest stars will speak up.
This puts more pressure on MLP to make sure every event meets high standards. Things like lighting, court safety, and crowd control must be carefully handled. These details affect how players perform and how fans enjoy the game.
Was skipping the event the right call? According to James Ignatowich, “absolutely.” And while fans may have missed watching the Johns brothers play, their choice could help improve the sport in the long run. As James said, “If we want this to be a real pro sport, we need to treat it like one.”
News in Brief: James Ignatowich Backs Ben Johns and Collin Johns
James Ignatowich backed Ben Johns and Collin Johns for withdrawing from 2025 MLP Columbus due to poor lighting. He also called for better production in pro pickleball to attract more fans. His message: pro players need safe conditions, and the sport must improve how it looks on screen to grow.
ALSO READ: 78,000 Dollars Gone: Why the Johns Brothers’ Sudden MLP Exit Sparked Outrage and a League Crackdown?