Michael Johnson’s startup project Grand Slam Track have been handed some financial lifeline which will see them pay off a potion of their debts owed to vendors and participating athletes, such as Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. Full story in comments.

Michael Johnson’s startup project Grand Slam Track have been handed some financial lifeline which will see them pay off a potion of their debts owed to vendors and participating athletes, such as Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. Full story in comments.

 

 

Michael Johnson’s ambitious startup project, Grand Slam Track (GST), has been thrown a financial lifeline that could revive its long-term vision and stabilize its rocky foundation. The funding boost is expected to help the organization clear a significant portion of its outstanding debts, including overdue payments to athletes such as Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi and the United States’ Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, as well as various vendors who had voiced concerns about delayed compensation.

The specifics of the financial rescue package remain undisclosed for now, but insiders close to the matter confirmed that a new group of private investors has stepped in to keep the track league afloat. The cash injection comes at a crucial time for GST, which launched with high hopes and promises of revolutionizing the professional track and field calendar but has since struggled with financial sustainability.

Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of GST, acknowledged the recent difficulties in a statement released on Thursday.

> “We recognize that we’ve fallen short of meeting some of our commitments to the athletes and partners who believed in our vision,” Johnson said. “This new funding represents a turning point. We’re using it first and foremost to honor those commitments, and to rebuild trust within the track and field community.”

Launched in early 2024 with the aim of creating a more athlete-centric and commercially viable track circuit, Grand Slam Track quickly garnered attention for its innovative format and high-profile athlete signings. However, logistical issues and delayed sponsorship deals led to cash flow problems that became public earlier this year. Athletes reported payment delays following events in New York and Paris, with several vendors also claiming unpaid invoices.

One of the most vocal athletes affected has been Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the 800m sensation from Kenya, who competed in two GST events in 2024. Despite winning in commanding fashion, Wanyonyi had yet to receive full compensation, sparking criticism from parts of the athletics world.

Similarly, U.S. sprint star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who took part in GST’s season opener, had also spoken out about the lack of transparency surrounding athlete payments.

With the new funds now secured, Johnson confirmed that both Wanyonyi and Jefferson-Wooden are among the first individuals slated to receive back payments, alongside a list of service providers ranging from event logistics firms to production crews.

Industry analysts say the financial backing may offer a temporary fix but warn that GST’s long-term success will depend on more sustainable revenue generation and clearer communication with stakeholders.

“It’s encouraging to see GST making moves to pay their debts, but they’ll need a strategic overhaul to avoid similar pitfalls in the future,” said sports business analyst Carla Mendoza.

Johnson says the organization is already working on a revised operational plan and is in advanced talks with two global brands for title sponsorship deals ahead of the 2026 season.

Despite its early setbacks, GST remains an experiment many in the sport are still rooting for.

> “We’re not done,” Johnson added. “We still believe in a better future for track and field—and we’re learning, adjusting, and pushing forward.”