Michael Johnson, a four-time US Olympic champion, has launched Grand Slam Track, a professional track league aimed at elevating the sport’s global presence. Grand Slam Track is designed to engage a worldwide fanbase of 2.5 billion and offer unprecedented opportunities for fan interaction, sponsorship, and elite competition.
The league will be composed of four annual meets, each of which will feature over $3 million in prize money, totaling $12.6 million. This is in addition to base compensation and appearance fees for racers.
The inaugural Grand Slam Track season, slated for April 2025, will host four annual meets in global cities, including Los Angeles, which will also serve as the league’s headquarters. The remaining host cities, including another US location and two international sites, will be announced later this summer.
Johnson, who will act as Commissioner, expressed his enthusiasm to LetsRun about the project: “I am delighted to finally unveil Grand Slam Track to the millions of track fans around the world.”
“We are excited to launch this new platform for the planet’s greatest racers in this sport we all love. Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a product that will be loved by fans and provide opportunities for our racers that they truly deserve. We’re revolutionizing the track landscape, allowing our sport to remain at the forefront of the sporting world year round, and pushing our superstar racers to break new ground in their personal storytelling, competitive success, and marketability. Grand Slam Track is going to take our sport to new heights, and we want you to come along for the ride.”
Grand Slam Track has also signed US Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as its first official racer. McLaughlin-Levrone, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, said, “I’m honored to be one of the first Racers in Grand Slam Track.”
“Michael’s vision is clear, and he’s exactly the leader this sport needs to break new ground. I am thrilled to be a part of this league and look forward to everything we have coming in the future. I firmly believe that this is the step forward that track needs to take it to another level, and I can’t wait to get to work with the team,” she said to LetsRun.
Structure and Competition
Each year, 48 athletes will be designated as Grand Slam Track Racers. Selected by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee, these athletes will compete in all four annual meets, receiving base compensation and being eligible for full prize money.
They will also benefit from a comprehensive support package, including content services, marketing support, and world-class athlete services.
Additionally, 48 Grand Slam Track Challengers will be invited to compete in individual meets, earning appearance fees based on recent performances and their potential to create exciting matchups.
Racers and Challengers will compete in six categories, each required to participate in two events per meet:
- Short sprints (100m/200m)
- Short hurdles (100H/110H/100m)
- Long sprints (200m/400m)
- Long hurdles (400H/400m)
- Short distance (800m/1500m)
- Long distance (3000m/5000m)
Final placements will be determined by combined finishing positions across the two events, with tiebreakers decided by the fastest combined time. The winner of each category at each meet will earn $100,000, with the eighth place earning $10,000.
Grand Slam Track emphasizes head-to-head competition without the use of pacers. Each meet is scored independently, with no carryover of points or previous finishes. All meets will adhere to World Athletics regulations, ensuring that all marks are eligible for rankings and standards.
Racers will compete in their own sponsored kits without traditional hip numbers or bibs, allowing for personalized and unique styles. Grand Slam Track does not have exclusive sponsorship deals with any shoe company, promoting equal opportunities for all sponsors.
Grand Slam Track has secured over $30 million from investors and strategic partners, with Winners Alliance as the lead investor. This investment aims to enhance fan engagement by promoting the sport’s biggest stars and reaching new audiences through innovative storytelling.
