The ambitious Grand Slam Track (GST) league, launched with the promise of revolutionizing professional athletics, has crumbled under significant financial strain, leaving athletes unpaid and casting a long shadow over recent major competitions, including the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The fallout from this collapse is being felt across the global sports community, highlighting deep-seated issues of financial stability and athlete compensation in track and field.
A Grand Ambition Unravels
Founded by track legend Michael Johnson, Grand Slam Track debuted in early 2025 with a bold vision: to rival the established Diamond League circuit by offering substantial prize money – a total pool of $12.6 million for its inaugural season – and a more engaging, head-to-head racing format. The league aimed to capture fan interest through compelling storytelling and rivalries, promising athletes significant paydays, including $100,000 for winners at each of its four planned “Slams.” Events were held in Kingston, Jamaica, Miami, and Philadelphia, attracting elite talent eager for lucrative opportunities. However, the dream began to falter as the final meet in Los Angeles was abruptly canceled, and reports of unpaid prize money and appearance fees emerged.
Millions Owed, Trust Eroded
Mounting financial difficulties have plunged GST into a crisis, with reports indicating that athletes and vendors are collectively owed an estimated $10 to $13 million. While appearance fees for the initial Kingston meet were reportedly paid, prize money from that event and all payments from the Miami and Philadelphia legs, as well as appearance fees for the canceled Los Angeles event, remain outstanding. Michael Johnson himself has acknowledged the league is “struggling with our ability to compensate” athletes, citing a significant investor’s withdrawal as a major blow. This inability to meet financial obligations has severely damaged trust within the sport, particularly for athletes who rely on timely payments for their livelihoods.
Athlete Schedules Disrupted, Performance Affected
The non-payment of promised funds has forced dozens of athletes to adjust their 2025 competition schedules. Many had committed to GST events, altering their training cycles and foregoing other opportunities, only to be left without the anticipated income. For athletes who do not have the substantial backing of major sponsorships – a common reality in professional track and field, where many supplement their income with other jobs – missing these payments can have a direct impact on their ability to train, travel, and perform at peak levels. This financial precarity can add immense pressure as they prepare for major championships.
Voices of Concern: Coe and Francis
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has publicly expressed his disappointment and concern over the situation. “There is no point in pretending this is a satisfactory situation. It’s not good,” Coe stated, emphasizing that the governing body “has always stood strongly behind the athletes.” He added that GST cannot be a “vanity project” and must be grounded in “practicality and deliverability.” Meanwhile, Jamaican coach Stephen Francis, known for his work with elite sprinters, voiced criticism regarding the conditions at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, describing them as not “befitting the top meet of the year.” While not directly linking his comments to the GST failure, such sentiments reflect a broader unease within the sport about athlete welfare and the standards of major events, especially when financial instability looms.
A Shadow Over the Championships
The financial instability stemming from Grand Slam Track’s collapse inevitably cast a shadow over the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Athletes who had adjusted their seasons for GST and subsequently faced non-payment may have found their championship performances under increased scrutiny or personal pressure. While some, like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, have suggested the GST issues are isolated, the underlying concerns about financial security and the sustainability of new ventures in professional sports persist. For many, the failure of GST serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by athletes in a sport that often struggles with consistent, high-level commercial appeal outside of Olympic cycles.
The Road Ahead
As Grand Slam Track faces potential legal action and searches for new investors, its future remains uncertain. Michael Johnson has stated that a 2026 season will not occur until current financial obligations are met, a process he acknowledges is complex. The lingering effects of GST’s implosion underscore the critical need for transparent financial structures and robust support systems for athletes. The ongoing news cycle surrounding unpaid debts and questionable business practices serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the challenges and potential pitfalls of ambitious new ventures aiming to elevate professional track and field while ensuring the well-being of its stars.