From its very launch, controversy has clouded Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track. First, there were questions about its neglect of ‘field’ in track and field. Then came the debate over athlete commitments and whether the biggest stars would even show up. But now, a new storm is brewing, and this one has hit fans!

Michael Johnson, the legendary sprinter-turned-analyst, was the face of Grand Slam Track’s bold new broadcast deal with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and secured a multi-year agreement to broadcast competition across Europe and Asia with live exclusivity in 40+ territories. Grand Slam Track events will be available live on Max and Discovery+, while TNT Sports will carry coverage in the UK and Ireland. The deal, facilitated by global sports marketing agency Two Circles, is expected to enhance the visibility of the league’s athletes and attract a wider audience. Johnson said, “Since our launch, we’ve had a huge amount of support from our great fans on these continents. “We set out to ensure our broadcasts were easily accessible for fans around the world and wanted to make sure our racers had a platform on which they could perform, entertain, and grow their fanbases.”

But for now, the new deal has at the center of a growing backlash. Fans in the UK and Ireland are outraged over TNT Sports’ paywall, which demands £23 per month—or a staggering £276 per year—to watch the inaugural season.

The concerns stem from key challenges for the league as they balance commercial viability with accessibility. The GST aims to position itself as a premier global track and field competition, with its inaugural Grand Slam Track Meet taking place on April 4-6 in Kingston, Jamaica.

But it has come into question, especially compared to free-to-air or lower-cost alternatives like the Diamond League.

Fan backlash over Michael Johnson’s GST paywalls’ accessibility

The announcement that Grand Slam Track will be on TNT Sports in the UK for £23 per month (around £31 if solely for month) (around £276 per year) has brought out the predictable reactions from athletics fans with many concerned about accessibility and the trend of premium sports content being behind paywalls.

Some fans are frustrated with the pricing, especially when major athletics events like the Diamond League are free to watch in some regions. “I can watch the @Diamond_League for free, so will give this a miss” said one fan, highlighting the reluctance to pay for a new league when other top-tier competitions are free. Others pointed out the cost when the event is at 4 AM in the UK, with one fan sarcastically saying “£30.99 / month at 4AM… yeah, no thanks”

A lot of the debate was around the paywalls and growing the sport. Fans are criticizing the decision, saying it will alienate new fans rather than grow the fan base. “Great way to bring the sport to a new audience—by sticking it behind a paywall” one comment read, summing up the feeling that premium pricing will hinder rather than help athletics visibility. Another fan took it further, saying “Not understanding the main barrier to a wider fan base—accessibility—will not grow the sport. But keep telling yourself it’s those pesky high jumpers and shot putters who are the problem”. One fan simply stated, “That is a lot,” summing up the general sentiment around the subscription fee.

With subscription sports broadcasting becoming more common, the pricing of Grand Slam Track is a big issue, especially for fans used to free or easily accessible coverage. Many may still subscribe to TNT Sports, but some are still skeptical if the league can attract a wider audience with this model.