Are you all caught up on what’s taking place in the track and field world? On September 18, the Diamond League caused quite a stir with a shocking announcement. Since the 2021 to 2024 seasons, their payouts would now experience a significant 30% rise in the 2025 season. But a few hours later, Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, set to take place next year, shared a breakdown of the prizes athletes would walk away with.

However, the timing between these announcements has grabbed several eyeballs. In fact, Paris Olympics gold medalist Aaron Kingsley Brown has now chimed in. CITIUS MAG reported Diamond League’s plans for next year, and the sprinter couldn’t hold himself back. “*Poof* suddenly there’s more 💰 for pro T&F, when everyone kept saying they didn’t have it 🤷🏾‍♂️” It possibly felt like this change was a little too late. “This is both exciting and infuriating at the same time smh,” he stated.

While he didn’t seem too pleased, the Canadian credited GST for this move. “Shout out to the @GrandSlamTrack league for forcing them to react.” Interestingly, this isn’t the first time he’s talked about the Diamond League. In 2023, the Lakers won the first-ever NBA in-season tournament championship. “This is what the Diamond League should be,” Brown stated on X. He believed that a pre-championship tournament would be a better format for the league. 

The 32-year-old stated the potential is there. “To compete during the year for an actual prize money purse that’s worth while and is wrapped before the real championship begins.” While the Grand Slam Track won’t be following that particular format, it boasts a total prize fund of $12.6 million. What to expect from the event? Athletes will contest in four marquee meets—2 in the States and 2 overseas every year. They would contest in 2 events over 3 days at every meet. 

Along with receiving an appearance fee on an event basis, each athlete contesting in the league can expect to walk away with a large cash prize. First place could potentially walk away with $100,000, while eighth place will receive $10,000 at each Slam. Additionally, athletes can receive an astounding $40,000 if they clinch a gold in all 4 meets. Sounds exciting? It surely is. However, why was the Diamond League handed the shorter end of the stick?

Diamond League’s prize pool announcement didn’t live up to the hype

Even though many were ecstatic about GST’s announcement, the same couldn’t be said for the DL. After constantly finding themselves in the eye of the storm, they hoped to make things right. “Prize money in the Wanda Diamond League will increase to its highest ever level from the 2025 season onwards 💎,” they announced on September 18 on X. The total prize fund in 2025 is an astounding $9.24 million. Considering the promotional fees for athletes, the total comes up to a staggering $18 million. 

But that isn’t all! The Diamond League will also invest millions into accommodation, medical and physio provision, and travel and transport for the athletes. For the new season, athletes could walk away with prize money between $30,000 and $50,000, which adds up to $500,000. At the finals in Zurich, the stakes are higher than ever, with the prize money going up to $60,000 to $100,000, bringing it to $2.24 million. It might have taken them a while to get here. But by the looks of it, the Diamond League seems to be headed in the right direction.