Investor Pullout Leaves Grand Slam Track in Financial Chaos
So here's what’s going on with Grand Slam Track, the ambitious new track league launched by Olympic legend Michael Johnson. It was supposed to be a game-changer for the sport—big prize money, world-class treatment for athletes, and a bold new vision for how track events should look. But things have taken a serious turn.
The league kicked off last year with around $30 million in promised funding, led by some heavy hitters like Winners Alliance and other investment firms. Everything seemed set for success. Athletes were promised six-figure payouts—$100,000 for winning an event—and fans got excited about the fresh approach to track and field. But now, the league finds itself deep in financial trouble, owing at least $13 million to athletes alone, and even more to vendors.
The core issue? A key investor backed out. According to Johnson, this investor—who hasn’t been named—walked away from a multi-million dollar commitment right after the league’s debut event in Kingston, Jamaica. Supposedly, this decision was linked to new tariffs announced by President Trump around the same time, which caused enough market uncertainty to scare them off. That exit caused what Johnson bluntly called a “major, major cash flow issue.”
Also Read:- Bruno Tonioli Exits BGT—KSI Tipped as Full-Time Replacement
- Summer McIntosh Kicks Off Historic Gold Medal Quest in Singapore
As a result, the league canceled its final event in Los Angeles, despite earlier claims that everything was fine. Johnson later admitted that the cancellation was definitely due to lack of funds, contradicting previous statements from the league. Meanwhile, some athletes still haven’t been paid for events that happened months ago, and frustration is building. One sprinter, Gabby Thomas, even commented “Pls pay me” on a Grand Slam TikTok post—yeah, it’s that bad.
Vendors haven’t been spared either. The city of Miramar, Florida, where one event was held, is still waiting on over $77,000 in overdue payments, even after extending the deadline. Some staff were laid off, others saw pay cuts of 15%, and the whole operation is clearly struggling to stay afloat.
Despite all this, Johnson insists the league will return next year. He says he’s working around the clock to settle debts and secure new investors. He even mentioned some promising conversations sparked by the league’s performance on TV and social media. But he also admitted they may have moved too fast and will be more cautious going forward.
World Athletics, the global governing body for the sport, is keeping a close eye on the situation. President Seb Coe said bluntly, “This is not a good situation.” And he’s right—athletes need to be paid, plain and simple. The whole idea was to elevate the sport, not add more chaos to an already fragmented track landscape.
Whether Grand Slam Track survives to see a second season now hinges on its ability to make things right—and fast.
Read More:
0 Comments