In 2025, Olympic legend Michael Johnson took charge of changing the track and field world with the Grand Slam Track. Four electrifying meets, elite head-to-head matchups, and $12.6 million in prize money — all crafted to spark year-round intensity. “I envision Grand Slam Track as the Formula One of athlete racing,” Johnson declared. While the Olympian has raised the revolution to transform the track and field scenario, a Grand Slam Track winner also voices the gaps that can be filled in within this new regime.
Revolution isn’t just about the format; it’s about the foundation — and the money. This tension came into focus when Kenny Bednarek, a Grand Slam Track winner and two-time Olympic silver medalist, opened up about the financial struggles that elite sprinters still face in the sport’s evolving ecosystem.
“Well, I mean, I do feel like that we should be compensated a little bit more,” Kenny said on The Attorney Sekou Podcast, when asked about how the world’s fastest man can still earn less than a backup player in the NFL or NBA. For context, in 2024, Noah Lyles, the 100m and 200m world champion, has a net worth estimated at $7 million — just a notch above NFL backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who earned $6 million that season with the Denver Broncos.
The Olympian further said, “You know, track and field is at a stage, I think we’re at a turning point, though, where you have the Grand Slam that’s kind of coming in and you have the ultimate championship that’s coming in and Diamond League is kind of opening their purse as well.” GST is offering 100k to all its slam winners, with 8k for all athletes that participate. The 2025 Wanda Diamond League has announced its highest-ever prize pool, totaling $9.24 million, with an additional $9 million allocated for promotional fees and athlete services.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship, debuting in September 2026 in Budapest, is set to offer the largest prize purse in track and field history: $10 million. The man said that right now they are where they are supposed to be, but they are on track. Citing that they are people who are trying to make a change, the Olympian had a suggestion of his own. In the podcast he told, “You know, also one of the things that I kind of hope we can get to kind of reveal who’s making what with contract wise, because with every other sport out there, yeah, every other sport out there kind of shows, you know what they’re making.”
For the NFL, every player’s contract, from superstars to backups, is publicly available via platforms like Spotrac and OverTheCap. While in the NBA, salaries are completely transparent. Every player’s pay is listed on HoopsHype, including incentives and duration. He further pointed out that the Grand Slam track and the Diamond League, coming in with big purses, “we’re at a turning point where track and field might shine a little bit brighter than it used to be.” Sekou Clarke agreed, saying he and his colleagues agree that this could have happened 10 years ago.
Kenny picked up on this and said he has always heard people talking that track and field needs to change. For the past 10 years, there has been a buzz that something needs to change, but it’s better late than never. He continued, “I mean, Michael Johnson’s finally taking the initiative and trying to, you know, change the sport for the better. You know, we need to get to a point where we have more broadcasting deals as he’s kind of bringing in CW, Peacock, and NBC.” The Grand Slam Track’s inaugural 2025 season is being broadcast worldwide through major partners like The CW and Peacock in the U.S., TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, Warner Bros. Discovery and Eurosport across Europe and Asia, and TVJ in Jamaica.
Kenny is a part of the track and field revolution
Kenny Bednarek stands at the forefront of a transformative era in track and field as an athlete in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) league. A league that focuses on boosting athlete visibility and financial stability. Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, embraced this innovative platform, stating, “It’s an incredible opportunity to compete at the highest level with some of the best athletes in the sport. I love the head-to-head concept, emphasis on storytelling, showcasing personalities, and a good opportunity for athletes to feature their talent.”
In the Kingston Grand Slam track, he clinched both the 100m and 200m titles, setting a Grand Slam Track record in the 100m with a time of 10.07 seconds and winning the 200m in 20.07 seconds. His performance earned him a total of 24 points and a $100,000 prize, marking him as the first athlete to sweep a Slam event pairing.
Continuing his dominance at the Miami Slam in May 2025, Kung-Fu-Kenny secured victories in both the 100m and 200m events once again. He clocked a wind-assisted 9.79 seconds in the 100m and a 2025 world-leading 19.84 seconds in the 200m. In the 100m final, Bednarek edged out Oblique Seville, who finished second with a time of 9.84 seconds. In the 200m, he outpaced Zharnel Hughes, who clocked 20.13 seconds, and Seville, who also ran 20.13 seconds, to claim the top spot. And once again took home the 200k. What do you think? Is the Grand Slam Track really helping the athletes?
The post Earning Less Than NFL Backup, Olympic Medalist Speaks on Dire Changes Required for Track & Field appeared first on EssentiallySports.