Man, when Grand Slam Track (GST) burst onto the scene, it felt like track and field had finally found its savior. With Michael Johnson, an Olympic legend, at the helm, the first three meets in Jamaica, Miami, and Philadelphia went off like a dream. Athletes were hyped, fans were buzzing, and the promise of big prize money had everyone believing this was the future of the sport.
But then, like a record scratch, the L.A. Slam was abruptly canceled. Suddenly, skeletons started tumbling out of GST’s closet, and the dream began to unravel. What went wrong with this bold new league?
“And you know, word on the street, Grand Slam was a scam.”, Well, initially, many rumors were making the rounds, suggesting the financial crunch was the biggest reason for the abrupt end. Now, the shocking truth hit when Noah Williams, a rising star in track, dropped a bombshell on a recent YouTube channel TrackWorldNews. “This is a huge disappointment,” he said, his voice heavy with frustration. “I thought this was such a good opportunity for people like myself.”
Williams revealed that GST owes athletes a staggering $12.8 million in prize money, a figure that’s left the track world reeling, “I had one of my sources give me some information, and that number that you said is it’s about $12.8 million to distribute.” According to his source, the organization might have filed for bankruptcy to dodge lawsuits, leaving athletes in the lurch: “There’s a chance they filed for bankruptcy to avoid any lawsuits coming from the athletes.” How could a league with so much promise fall apart so fast?
Williams didn’t stop there. He shared that GST promised payments by the end of September, but he’s skeptical. “The climate of the situation seems like that’s kind of a ploy or a plot to buy themselves more time to scramble and do whatever they got to do legally,” he said. His words paint a grim picture: a league scrambling to cover its tracks while athletes wait for money they earned through sweat and speed. Could this really be the end of GST?
The cancellation of the L.A. Slam was the first red flag, but these financial revelations have turned hope into heartbreak. With $12.8 million allegedly unpaid and bankruptcy rumors swirling, athletes like Williams are left questioning who they can trust. The track world deserves better transparency, accountability, and respect for its stars. Will GST step up and make things right, or is this the final lap for Michael Johnson’s grand vision?
Grand Slam Track had a swift rise and stumble
In June 2024, Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist, unveiled Grand Slam Track (GST), igniting a firestorm of excitement. Promising to “revolutionize the track landscape,” GST launched in April 2025 with four meets, a $12.6 million prize pool, and $100,000 top prizes. Featuring stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the league aimed to showcase head-to-head racing across six event categories, like short sprints (100m/200m). Johnson’s vision? “Bring the best athletes together” for consistent rivalries, backed by a $30 million investment. Broadcasts on Peacock and The CW fueled hype for a new track era. But could GST sustain its bold promises?
The league dazzled in Kingston, Jamaica, with athletes like Josh Kerr racing in a format emphasizing versatility over time. Yet, cracks appeared. The Los Angeles finale was canceled on June 12, 2025, due to ‘lease issues’.
By July, reports surfaced of unpaid prize money, with athletes like Gabby Thomas chasing millions. “We launched with a bold vision,” Johnson said, but financial woes led to executive departures and a restructuring. GST’s inaugural season ended abruptly, leaving its 2026 plans uncertain. Will this league see the morning sun again? Well, it will be interesting to see.
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