Development
Former sprinter Michael Johnson, who had had the idea for Grand Slam Track since the 1990s, [2] announced in February 2024 his intention to launch a track and field league in 2025. It was announced that the league would include a series of events during the track season between April and September, though events ended up only running through June. [3] [4] Johnson, along with billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, were reported to be investing millions of their own money in the league. [5] [6]
The announcement of the League in February 2024 came with the stated aims to increase and boost the sport of track and field in public consciousness and to promote the sport outside the four-yearly cycle of Olympic Games. [7] One of the aims is for the Track and Field League to resemble other sports leagues, with global athletes. [8] As opposed to once every four years like the Olympic Games, the Grand Slam Track league will occur four times every year. [4]
In May 2024, former middle-distance runner Kyle Merber confirmed he was employed as Senior Director of Racing. [9] Olympic champion and former sprinter Morolake Akinosun was announced as the Head of Athlete Relations in September 2024.
Among the first athletes to sign-up for the events in June 2024 were double Olympic champion 400 m hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and 2023 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500 m Josh Kerr. [10] [11] [12] In September 2024, it was confirmed that Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, the 2024 Olympic gold and bronze medalists respectively in the 1500 metres, had signed onto the league. [13] During this month sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley also signed onto the league. [14]
On 13 September 2024, LetsRun.com reported that the Grand Slam Track meet locations would be in Los Angeles, New York City, Kingston (Jamaica), and Birmingham (England), with the events being held during two weeks in April and two weeks in May, noting that they had not yet confirmed the information with a second source. [15] In November 2024, Grand Slam Track officially announced the four locations as Kingston, Los Angeles, Miramar, and Philadelphia. [16]
By 19 December 2024, the entire set of racers for the 2025 season was announced. The roster included 13 individual global gold medalists, although notable omissions included Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson. [17] [18]
On 12 June 2025, it was announced that the Los Angeles Slam was cancelled for various reasons, including the current "geopolitical climate of LA" and a "poor lease agreement with UCLA". [19] On 18 June 2025, Grand Slam Track announced a partnership with Sundial Media and Technology Group. [20]
Financial challenges
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, as of July 2025, the league has yet to pay the City of Miramar for the rental of the Ansin Sports Complex for the duration of the Miami Slam. It has also been reported that the league still owes $13 million in prize money and appearance fees to athletes, though Kingston Slam appearance fees have been paid out. Prize money payouts are scheduled from the end of July through to the end of September, and will include the honoring of Los Angeles appearance fees. Some athletes, including Gabby Thomas, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Alison dos Santos, and Grant Fisher have commented about not having yet received payment. [21] [22] [23] Sebastian Coe commented that World Athletics was monitoring outstanding athlete payments from Grand Slam Track. [24] In an interview on July 24, Michael Johnson stated the league was facing a difficult financial situation, in part caused by excessive spending. Furthermore, a key investor withdrew an eight-figure commitment shortly after the Kingston Slam. [25] [26]
On July 31, it was reported that the prize money payments scheduled for the end of July, roughly $3 million, were not paid. [27] In August, Michael Johnson apologized for missing the payment deadline and stated the 2026 season will not occur unless a solution is found. [28]
Overview
The league has four "slams," also known as meets, which take place in a season from April through June. [4] In each slam, there are six event categories for males and females, listed below. Each event category features two disciplines that athletes will compete in over the course of a weekend. [2]
For each category, there are eight competitors in total. Four of these are the "Grand Slam Racers," who, at the beginning of the season, make the starting list of each of the four Grand Slam events, for a total of 48 consistent athletes present in each slam (four racers in six categories, male and female). They are chosen based on their world rankings and merits and are among the best in the world. The other four competitors are the "Grand Slam Challengers," who are emerging athletes and are attempting to earn a spot as a Grand Slam Racer for the following season. The Challengers will vary between Grand Slam events based on recent performances and potential matchups. [2]
From first to eighth place, points are distributed as follows for each individual event: 12, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. [a] The athlete with the best combined score between the two events in their category is deemed the winner, or Slam champion, of that specific meet. Should there be a tie, the highest individual finishing placement between the two will win the Slam. If the tie persists, then the lowest combined time is utilized as a tiebreaker. [2]
At the conclusion of the season, one male and one female athlete are crowned the "Racer of the Year" based on their cumulative points earned across all four Slams. [2]
Prize money
The Grand Slam Track league offers a chance for athletes, should they win each of the four [note 2] Slams in their event category, to win upwards of US$400,000 [note 3] in a single season. [2] [note 4]
| Place | Prize money per slam |
|---|
| 1st | $100,000 |
| 2nd | $50,000 |
| 3rd | $30,000 |
| 4th | $25,000 |
| 5th | $20,000 |
| 6th | $15,000 |
| 7th | $12,500 |
| 8th | $10,000 |
Broadcast
In February 2025, Grand Slam Track announced agreements with The CW, an over-the-air network, and the streaming service Peacock in the United States. All events stream on Peacock, while The CW airs weekend coverage. NBC, whose parent company owns Peacock, also airs a highlight special. [31]
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2025 Grand Slam Track 
