Everything was going well, and then the bombshell dropped. “The decision to conclude the inaugural Grand Slam Track season is not taken lightly, but one rooted in a belief that we have successfully achieved the objectives we set out to in this pilot season, and the importance of looking towards 2026 and beyond,” said Michael Johnson, Founder and Commissioner of Grand Slam Track and just like that the league meant to revolutionize track and field ended before its last slam due to financial reasons. The financial hardships have been such that even the athletes who participated in the league are still awaiting their payment. Many have spoken out, and now another US track and field star has been added to the list.
Freddie Crittenden appeared in a video, aired on EZ Central on April 26, to speak about Grand Slam Track. He started on a good note. He described it as an amazing experience, highlighting the smooth handling of logistics, travel, accommodations, and the professionalism of the staff throughout the season. But then he got to the point everybody has been talking about: the money he and other athletes did not receive.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of scrutiny and heat on Grand Slam right now about finances and economic state of their business. I do think there’s a lot to say on that front,” he said in the video. “As a racer, I will say that it hasn’t looked like we thought it would look. I have been paid some, not nearly as much as I thought I would be at this point, which is a little disappointing, as it should be.” Freddie Crittenden earned approximately US$107,500 in prize money across the 2025 Grand Slam Track (GST) season.
He placed 3rd in the 110 m hurdles and 8th in the 100 m at the Kingston Slam ($50,000), 3rd in hurdles and 7th in 100 m at the Miami Slam ($42,500), and finished 6th in hurdles and 7th in 100 m at the Philadelphia Slam ($27,500). The Olympian also talked of why the Grand Slam Track is under scrutiny after doing what every other league does (paying their athletes late). He reasons that “they said it would be different. So, it’s hard to let that slide. But yeah, I haven’t been paid the full amount. I’ve been paid a tiny bit. And yeah, that’s where we’re at right now.” Grand Slam Track (GST) famously promised to reshape athlete compensation by guaranteeing base salaries, appearance fees, and dramatically larger prize money than existing circuits.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 110m Hurdles Round 1 – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 04, 2024. Freddie Crittenden of United States in action during heat 2 REUTERS/Phil Noble
However, by mid‑2025, the league had not delivered on most of its financial commitments. Only appearance fees from the first meet have been paid, and athletes are still missing out on about $13 million, as per a report by Front Office Sports. If we count out the Kingston money from Freddie Crittenden’s account – the tiny bit that he has been paid, Michael Johnson still owns the track and field star $57,500. Also, Crittenden is not the only one to speak out. The whole of the track and field community is angry.
Freddie Crittenden Leads Track and Field voices calling out Michael Johnson
A lot of athletes have spoken out about delays in their payment. Cubie Seegobin, who is the agent of Jamaican Olympic athlete Roshawn Clarke, spoke out on his behalf and all the other managers, saying, “I just have to take, you know, solace in the communication that they have sent directly to me and other managers. All managers are always worried about whether a meeting will affect their financial obligations.” Clarke competed in the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston (April 4–6, 2025) and earned US$50,000 for finishing second in the Men’s Long Hurdles category, placing fourth in the 400 m flat and second in the 400 m hurdles to accumulate 13 points overall.
Gabby Thomas is also part of this list. Despite still being owed part of more than US$12 million in unpaid prize money, Gabby Thomas was featured in a celebratory TikTok video by Grand Slam Track. In response, Thomas commented, “So dope!!! pls pay me.” Throughout the first three Grand Slam Track meets in 2025, Thomas earned $180,000. She had a standout performance in Kingston, winning the 200 m and finishing second in the 400 m for $100,000. In Miami, she took first in the 200 m and came fourth in the 100 m, earning $50,000. At the Philadelphia meet, she placed second in the 200 m and fourth in the 100 m, bringing in another $30,000.
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, a two-time Olympian from Canada, competed as a challenger in the long-distance events at the 2025 Kingston Grand Slam Track meet, where he finished 8th in both the 3000 m and 5000 m races. With a total of 2 points, he ranked 8th overall in his category, earning $10,000. Despite being informed that his prize money is on its way, Philibert-Thiboutot noted after winning at the Bislett Games that he still hadn’t received it. “It might come. Why shouldn’t it come?” he said. “They have to pay us. I’ll be patient and wait.” What do you think, how long will it take them to get paid?
The post US Track & Field Star Calls Out Michael Johnson, Demands Answers as GST Dispute Escalates appeared first on EssentiallySports.