**Pickleball Superstar Ben Johns Donates Entire \$20 Million Bonus and Sponsorship Deal to Charities and Homeless Relief**
In a stunning act of generosity and humanity, pickleball’s biggest star, **Ben Johns**, has donated his entire \$20 million bonus and sponsorship earnings to charitable causes aimed at combatting homelessness, hunger, and supporting veterans across the United States.
Johns, widely regarded as the greatest pickleball player in history, made the announcement at a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday morning, bringing many in attendance to tears.
> “There are millions of people struggling every day — families without homes, kids without food, veterans without support,” Johns said, his voice steady but emotional. “If I have the ability to help, then I have the responsibility to do so.”
The \$20 million comes from a record-breaking performance bonus and a series of high-profile endorsements from companies such as Nike, Wilson, and Gatorade. Instead of pocketing the money, Johns redirected it all to a coalition of nonprofit organizations that include **Feeding America**, **Habitat for Humanity**, **Homes for Our Troops**, and **Covenant House**.
### A Historic Gesture in Sports
The move has been praised across the sports world, drawing comparisons to philanthropic icons such as LeBron James and Muhammad Ali. Johns, just 26 years old, has already amassed 100+ career titles and is considered the face of the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. But his latest act may be his most meaningful yet.
> “This goes beyond sports,” said NBA legend and philanthropist LeBron James in a social media post. “Ben Johns just raised the bar for what it means to be a role model.”
Johns emphasized that his decision was not about making headlines but about inspiring action and drawing attention to systemic issues that often go ignored.
> “You can’t walk through a major city in America without seeing people living on the streets. It’s unacceptable. These are people — mothers, fathers, veterans, kids. They deserve dignity and opportunity.”
### How the Money Will Be Used
The \$20 million donation is being divided across several initiatives:
* **\$5 million to Habitat for Humanity** to build low-income housing units in cities hit hardest by the housing crisis.
* **\$4 million to Feeding America** to fund school lunch programs and emergency food distribution centers in underserved communities.
* **\$3 million to Covenant House** to support homeless youth and survivors of trafficking.
* **\$3 million to Homes for Our Troops**, which builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.
* **\$5 million** to create the **Ben Johns Relief Fund**, a new foundation that will provide microgrants to homeless individuals and families for rent deposits, job training, and transitional housing support.
“Ben’s donation will provide housing for hundreds of families and food for thousands of children,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “His kindness will ripple through communities for years to come.”
### A Life of Purpose Beyond the Court
Johns, who holds degrees in materials science and economics from the University of Maryland, has often spoken about the importance of purpose beyond athletic achievement. He grew up in a modest home in Maryland with a close-knit family who volunteered regularly at shelters and food banks. His mother, Heather Johns, said she wasn’t surprised by his decision.
> “Ben’s always had a heart for others. Even as a kid, he’d give away his lunch if someone else didn’t have one. This is who he is,” she said.
Johns now lives in Austin, Texas, and while he maintains a rigorous training schedule, he also spends time mentoring young athletes and speaking at youth leadership programs. His latest decision only deepens his reputation as a thoughtful and grounded public figure.
### Growing the Game, Growing Hope
Pickleball, long seen as a niche sport, has exploded in popularity over the last few years, with millions of new players picking up paddles across North America. Johns, a five-time Triple Crown winner (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles champion at the same tournament), has helped elevate the sport with his athleticism and charisma.
His donation has sparked new interest in how athletes — even in emerging sports — can leverage their platforms for greater social impact.
> “Pickleball gave me a career I never imagined,” Johns said. “This is my way of paying that forward — not just to the sport, but to the world.”
The **Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)** also announced that they will match \$1 million of Johns’ donation through their own charitable arm and will partner with him to launch a new **“Serve with Purpose” Tour** — a series of exhibition matches where proceeds go directly to local charities in each host city.
### Reactions Pour In
Tributes have poured in from fans, fellow athletes, and nonprofit leaders.
* **Simone Jardim**, a former doubles partner of Johns, tweeted: “He wins on the court — but off the court, Ben is changing lives. Proud to call him a friend.”
* **Michelle Obama** wrote on Instagram: “Ben Johns is showing us what leadership and compassion truly look like. His donation is a call to action for all of us.”
### Looking Ahead
Johns shows no signs of slowing down competitively. He’s scheduled to compete in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships later this month and has hinted at plans to create a nonprofit focused on youth leadership through sports.
Still, his focus today was not on the next match but on those who don’t have the privilege of thinking about sports — the families living in shelters, the children who go to bed hungry, the veterans sleeping on sidewalks.
> “This is just the beginning,” he said. “I want to challenge my fellow athletes, my sponsors, and fans to think bigger. Together, we can serve more than aces. We can serve hope.
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