Grand Slam Track (GST) is storming onto the scene and it’s set to flip the script on professional racing like never before. Masterminded by the legendary Michael Johnson, ready to ignite the track world with four pulse-pounding Slams, a $12.6 million prize pool, and the planet’s fastest athletes duking it out in showdowns.

But even amidst this tidal wave of anticipation, Grand Slam Track hasn’t escaped scrutiny. Despite its star-studded roster and revolutionary format, criticisms have emerged from various corners of the track and field community. Some of the sport’s biggest names,  Noah Lyles and sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson. Not only them, Jazmin Sawyers, U.S. discus star Valarie Allman are at the forefront in speaking up against GST. Lyles, in particular, has voiced skepticism, reportedly pointing to the league’s media strategy and lack of a major broadcast deal as shortcomings. Olympic long jumper Tara Davis even took to social media to blast Johnson’s focus on track alone, pleading with him to “stop ruining the sport.”  And then responds Johnson, the stout…and how so…

Johnson completely remains unfazed. Indeed in response to the backlash, he doubled down on his vision, telling The Jamaica Gleaner on March 9, 2025, that GST is about delivering what athletes and fans have demanded: exposure, compensation, and meaningful races. “I love this sport,” he reiterated. But what about the criticism against his focus on track alone?

In an interview with Citius Mag’s Chris Chavez, Johnson defends the decision as a deliberate strategy to hone in on racing’s appeal. He argues, “I love this sport, but if we keep doing the same thing and telling people ‘you should love this,’ it doesn’t work”. He clarifies that GST is about saving track—not track and field, “I think I can save track—not track and field” he says. He notes that field events, while valuable, don’t fit the tight two-and-a-half-hour broadcast window GST targets, which prioritizes one race at a time without overlap. For the 57-year-old, the exclusion of field events isn’t a snub but a strategic choice to streamline the product for modern audiences, prioritizing TV-friendly pacing and a singular narrative of speed.

On the media front, Johnson counters earlier skepticism by pointing to secured U.S. broadcast deals with The CW and Peacock, dismissing claims of inadequate exposure. He frames the criticism as resistance to change, asserting, “Athletes have been asking for more money, more exposure, more opportunities—this is it.” Well, there are no qualms about the potential that GST holds. It has got a lot to offer!

A structured, high-stakes, athlete-driven competition: Johnson hopeful of revolutionizing the sport

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) is poised to ignite a new chapter in track racing. Debuting in April 2025, GST boasts a $12.6 million prize pool and a structured format designed to elevate athletes. Johnson, believing the sport has been “broken for a long time,” aims to provide “opportunities athletes have always wanted.” The league will feature 96 racers—48 contracted “GST Racers” and 48 “Challengers“—competing across four electrifying Slams: Kingston (April 4-6), Miami (May 2-4), Philadelphia (May 30-June 1), and Los Angeles (June 27-29). And Winners will pocket $100,000 per event, with even eighth-place finishers earning $10,000, significantly surpassing the Diamond League’s $9.2 million 2025 pot. Prize money aside, the Olympic champion is deeply passionate about track and wants to provide unprecedented opportunities to track athletes.

Johnson told BBC Sport, “My objective is to create opportunities athletes have always wanted and put them on a stage worthy of their greatness.” Backed by over $30 million in investor funding, the league is aiming to deliver on its promise. “They deserve that. The sport deserves that. The fans who want to see that deserve that. And I’m focused on making sure they get it.” he says. GST has also received support from tier-1 track sensations, further reinforcing its popularity.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic champion also voiced in favour of GST, saying, “Michael’s vision is clear, and he’s exactly the leader this sport needs to break new ground. I firmly believe that this is the step forward that track needs to take it to another level.” McLaughlin-Levrone is all set to participate in the GST and it will surely be a sight to behold. There are yet others who have come to appreciate Johnson’s endeavor for other reasons. The former American track and field giant Carl Lewis sees it as a career-enhancing platform, figures like UCLA’s Director Joanna Hayes and President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe view it as a structural boon for track’s future.

With the track event right around the corner, excitement has reached a fever pitch. While criticisms have been abundant, Michael Johnson seems pretty confident in his ability to get this done. Its for us to wait and see how things unfold.