GST in Crisis: $13 Million Owed to Athletes Amid Canceled Events!

Miramar, Florida, USA - In a tumultuous turn of events, Michael Johnson’s ambitious venture, the Grand Slam Track (GST) league, has found itself in deep waters. Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding GST, reports indicate that the league is grappling with significant financial challenges, raising concerns among athletes and fans alike. Essentially Sports reports that in March, Johnson revealed that none of his companies had turned a profit after their first year. Since then, the situation has only worsened.

The GST event, which was pioneering in its approach to head-to-head racing, saw its final leg canceled on June 12 due to a mix of economic issues and problematic venue agreements. What’s more, the league now owes over $13 million to participating athletes. In a recent statement, Johnson maintained a sense of optimism about a potential comeback in 2026 and is actively seeking new investors to stabilize the troubled league. However, athletes like Gabby Thomas are growing increasingly frustrated as they wait for overdue payments.

Unpaid Fees and Athlete Frustration

According to the Marathon Handbook, GST kicked off in spring 2023 with a notable prize pool of $12.6 million. But after just three events, the league faces a cancelation and a staggering sum in unpaid fees. Athletes have not received their promised prize money or appearance fees for the Miami and Philadelphia events, leaving many feeling disheartened and questioning their trust in GST. The only payments made have gone to agents from the Kingston meet who submitted their paperwork on time.

Despite the setbacks, Johnson remains hopeful. He suggests that the league was not designed to break even in its first year, indicating upcoming adjustments for future seasons. „No one wants less investment in the sport,“ stated Alexis Ohanian, highlighting the broader implications of GST’s financial issues on athletics as a whole. Meanwhile, Noah Lyles, who predicted GST’s struggles early on, now watches the situation unfold with concern.

Challenges Ahead

As July unfolds, the outlook for GST grows more precarious. Not only are athletes still waiting for payments, but GST faces additional financial obligations, including pending rental fees for venues, notably the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, amounting to nearly $78,000. Payments are scheduled for July 18, August 18, and September 18, with uncertainties hanging in the air. Sports Pro adds that communication regarding outstanding fees has been sparse, leaving many athletes feeling anxious.

While there is a glimmer of hope that payment for Kingston’s prize money will arrive by the end of July, all other payments are slated for the end of September. Some athletes have taken their frustrations to World Athletics, as they continue to feel the strain of delayed communications and payments. The Association of Athletics Managers has reached out to GST leadership regarding these issues, but Johnson has been unable to provide concrete timelines for payment resolution.

As GST seeks new investments and looks toward a hopeful 2026 season, the immediate focus remains on fulfilling promises to athletes who have shown remarkable patience. The path ahead is clearly fraught with challenges, but for the sake of the sport and its participants, the hope is that GST can navigate these troubled waters effectively.