Grand Slam Track Athletes Still Owed Millions After Collapse 2026

Grand Slam Track athletes are still owed millions in unpaid earnings nearly 15 months after the ambitious track league collapsed, leaving stars and vendors in financial limbo. The venture, launched by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, promised to revolutionise the sport with huge prizes but folded after just three events, and now many athletes have received only half of what they were owed.

The Rise and Fall of Grand Slam Track

Grand Slam Track burst onto the scene in April last year with bold promises of huge prizes and salaries for track and field athletes. Spearheaded by Michael Johnson, the league aimed to elevate the sport's profile and reward its stars like never before. However, the dream quickly unravelled. After only three events, organisers voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US in December, leaving a trail of unpaid debts.

The collapse sent shockwaves through the athletics community. Athletes who had competed in good faith found themselves waiting for payments that never fully materialised. Despite Johnson's public claims that he had "got the athletes paid," many are still waiting for the remainder of their earnings.

Current Payment Status: Athletes and Vendors Left Short

According to four leading agents who spoke to the Guardian, their athletes have received only 50% of their earnings as of October 2025. They are hopeful that an additional 25% may be released from an escrow account in the coming months. Vendors, meanwhile, have fared even worse, receiving just 14% of what they are owed.

The financial fallout is stark. While athletes at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest compete for a record $10 million prize fund, many of their peers are still chasing money from a defunct league. The contrast highlights the precarious nature of new sports ventures and the risks athletes take when buying into grand promises.

Key Takeaways

• Athletes have received only half of their promised earnings from Grand Slam Track.
• Vendors are owed even more, with just 14% of debts paid.
• An escrow account may release an additional 25% to athletes soon.
• Michael Johnson claims he secured funding to pay athletes, but questions remain.
• The collapse underscores the financial risks of new sports leagues.

What This Means for the Future of Track and Field

The Grand Slam Track saga serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and investors alike. While the Ultimate Championships in Budapest showcase the sport's potential with its $10 million prize fund, the unpaid debts from GST cast a shadow over innovation in athletics. Trust in new ventures may be harder to earn, and athletes may demand more robust financial guarantees before committing.

For now, the affected athletes and vendors can only wait and hope that remaining funds materialise. The situation also raises questions about accountability and transparency in sports management, especially when high-profile figures are involved.

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