When the 2024 Olympics concluded last August, Team USA emerged from Paris with 34 medals in track and field 14 of them gold reaffirming their global dominance. Athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Noah Lyles, and Gabby Thomas became the faces of the sport’s next generation. However, after the Olympic flame was extinguished, these stars faded from mainstream attention. With no clear opportunity for all of track’s biggest names to compete together until the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the sport risked losing its momentum.
That was until four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson stepped in with a potential solution. He founded Grand Slam Track, a new professional league designed to keep the sport at the forefront year-round. The league debuts this weekend in Kingston, Jamaica, marking the first of four competitions in its inaugural season. Additional meets are set for Miami (May 3–5), Philadelphia (May 30–June 1), and Los Angeles (June 27–29).
Grand Slam Track will feature top athletes such as McLaughlin-Levrone, Thomas, Masai Russell, and Cole Hocker. These “Racers” receive a base salary and guaranteed participation in all four 2025 events. They will compete across six event groups, including sprints, hurdles, and distance races. Each meet will also feature “Challengers,” who earn pay-per-appearance contracts and have a chance to secure Racer status for the next season. Every race group competes in two events per meet, ensuring frequent high-stakes matchups among the world’s best.
Johnson, who serves as the league’s commissioner, believes that track’s traditional structure has failed to distinguish elite professionals from developing athletes. He wants Grand Slam to provide a recognizable platform similar to major leagues in other sports. The league strategically recruited Paris 2024 breakout stars to create a star-studded roster, reinforcing its commitment to showcasing track’s best talent.
For athletes like Grant Fisher, who won two bronze medals in Paris, Grand Slam offers a chance to consistently compete against the world’s top runners. Beyond competition, the league also boasts an attractive financial structure. Backed by a $30 million investment led by Winners Alliance, Grand Slam’s prize pool totals $12.6 million for the season. Race group winners can earn up to $100,000 per event, with every participant guaranteed at least $10,000 per meet.
The league also prioritizes athlete experience, offering first-class travel, tickets for family and friends, and support for personal videographers and trainers. These perks, combined with strong financial backing, set a new standard for professionalism in track and field.
Johnson, a longtime advocate for the sport, understands the challenges athletes face in maintaining visibility outside of the Olympics. He has engaged directly with today’s top track stars to ensure the league meets their needs. His goal is to transform the sport’s landscape, creating year-round excitement rather than relying on once-every-four-years Olympic cycles.
Grand Slam joins a growing movement to reshape track and field’s competitive structure. Other initiatives, like Athlos a women’s showcase backed by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and changes to the Diamond League’s prize money, signal a shift toward greater investment in the sport.
Unlike one-off spectacle races, Grand Slam aims to establish itself as a long-term, athlete-first league. Johnson envisions it filling a critical gap in track’s competitive ecosystem, bringing high-profile races to fans throughout the season. With its first events approaching, the league’s success will be measured in engagement, growth, and its ability to revolutionize professional track and field.
“There’s always been talk of dream races,” Johnson said. “We’re making those fantasies a reality.”
Wishing the Grand Slam Track League much success!
This may prove to be the best thing to happen for the sport and its athletes.