Report: Grand Slam Track still owes athletes $13M

Field Level Media|published: Thu 3rd July, 13:12 2025

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grand Slam Track still owes about $13 million to athletes who competed in events this spring, Front Office Sports reported Thursday.

Only the appearance fees for the initial meet in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 4-6 have been paid so far, per the report.

That leaves the prize money for all of the startup league's events and appearance fees for competitions in Miami (May 2-4) and Philadelphia (May 31-June 1) still unpaid, FOS reported.

FOS obtained a copy of an email sent to athletes' representatives on Tuesday explaining the timeline for pending payouts.

"At this time, all agents who have sent the appropriate paperwork have been issued appearance fee payments for Kingston," read the email. "Our plan is to make payments for Kingston prize money before the end of July and the remaining payments due by the end of September, which includes the honoring of Los Angeles appearance fees."

Last month, Grand Slam Track canceled its final event scheduled to take place in Los Angeles from June 28-29.

The league, which was founded by four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, began with $30 million in funding, with $12.6 million set to be awarded in prize money.

Signs of concern started early. The inaugural event in Jamaica was poorly attended. Originally scheduled to be comprised of three-day meets, the Philadelphia event was shortened to two days.

--Field Level Media

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