Financial Struggles of the Grand Slam Track League
The financial struggles of the Grand Slam Track league have drawn heavy criticism from World Athletics, which labeled the league’s attempt to fund future events as “unconscionable” given the outstanding debts from the 2025 season.
Criticism from World Athletics
On Monday, the international governing body of track and field reiterated the position of the Association of Athletics Managers (AAM), a representative body for elite athletes, which had expressed its disapproval of the league’s intentions to allocate $400,000 to recruit athletes for the 2026 season while still owing over $40 million to around 300 creditors, including athletes, suppliers, and service providers.
“It is paramount that athletes who competed in good faith and vendors and service providers are treated fairly and paid.”
Athletes Awaiting Payment
Among the notable athletes awaiting payment is Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who is owed $268,750, along with Gabby Thomas who is due $185,625, and Marileidy Paulino who expects $173,125. Additionally, Michael Johnson, a founding member of the league and Olympic gold medalist, is owed more than $2 million from a loan made prior to the league’s last event in Philadelphia last spring.
Response from Grand Slam Track
Steve Gera, the CEO and president of Grand Slam Track, has not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press regarding these financial issues. Though the Grand Slam Track league operated independently from World Athletics, it had received endorsement through the allocation of world ranking points at its events.
World Athletics stated it would reconsider the licensing or support of GST only once all debts are settled. The next hearing concerning Grand Slam Track’s bankruptcy is set for Wednesday.
