Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track Under Fire Over Unpaid Athletes as 2026 Plans Raise Alarm

Michael Johnson's ambitious Grand Slam Track (GST) competition is facing mounting pressure to settle outstanding payments to athletes from its inaugural season, with critics warning that its current course could set a "dangerous precedent" for the sport.

The new league, which promised substantial prize money and salaries, abruptly cancelled its final event last year and subsequently filed for voluntary bankruptcy in the United States.

This left numerous high-profile athletes unpaid, including 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who is owed $268,750.

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The Association of Athletics Managers (AAM), which represents many of the sport's top stars, has voiced serious concerns.

The group highlighted that GST is seeking $400,000 for "athlete recruitment" for a planned 2026 season as part of its court-supervised restructuring, a move the AAM finds troubling while significant debts remain.

The AAM is urging GST to "immediately prioritise" settling all its debts, estimated to exceed $30 million owed to over 150 athletes and companies, before organising any future events. GST has been contacted for comment.

In a previous statement, GST explained it was using the bankruptcy process to "stabilise its finances, implement a more efficient cost and operating model, and position GST for long-term success."

The push for a 2026 season has surprised many, especially since Michael Johnson himself had previously stated that no future events would occur until all athletes from the first year were paid. The AAM noted that the "integrity and sustainability of track and field depend on honouring commitments."

The managers' association expressed shock at learning in a recent creditor meeting that "GST is already working toward a 2026 season."

According to the AAM, GST has requested a total of $2.9 million in financing to cover operational costs before any 2025 debts are settled.

The AAM statement recalled its initial strong support for the venture, stating they "took it on faith when Michael told us both publicly and privately that he had $30m in funding" for the launch. Their patience held even as "serious financial difficulties" emerged.

However, the group's stance has now hardened. "Moving forward with planning for 2026 events without making athletes and other creditors whole... undermines trust across the entire ecosystem," the AAM declared. "Accountability must come before expansion, and credibility must be rebuilt through action, not promises."